Our three day stay on Lipari ended, and we took a 2 hour hydrofoil (but less bumpy) ride to Stromboli, via a few other lovely-looking islands.
We were staying at Hotel Ossidiana - a hundred yards or so from the jetty and just across a narrow 'road' from the beach of black sand. Stromboli is another volcanic island - this time with two villages (that can only be reached by sea). The self-guided walk to a viewpoint was scheduled for the next day. We were advised that a guided walk to the reach the 3000' summit at sunset was available - but that it was only suitable for people 'in the peak of fitness'. We declared ourselves as suitably qualified, signed up for a 5pm start and had a very nice lunch in Ritrovo Ingrid, named after Ingrid Bergman, who made a film and had an affair with Rossellini here.
There was one guide (Antonio) and around 15 walkers. The climb was very steep in places, but Antonio set a steady pace that we could just about keep up with. Apparently, a couple of French women has been sent back the previous day for being unable to keep up.
It got misty as we got higher, and we could hear the rumbles from the crater. What's more, clouds of volcanic dust rained down on us. We were still in cloud (and a cold wind) when we reached the lower summit and donned our crash helmets and any other clothes we'd brought. However, the cloud lifted as we crossed the ridge to the edge of the crater and we could see that we'd climbed through a lower level of cloud. There were minor eruptions in the crater every 20 minutes or so, sending up plumes of smoke and a spit of lava in the crater. Views were incredible as the sun went down. It really would have been such a shame to have come to this island and not done this walk.
The first part of the descent was steep and sandy (top left in the 3D picture below). Antonio demonstrated the correct technique - lean back, put one heel down quite hard and let it slide, repeat with other leg. Once you got the hang of it, it was quick and easy, but very hard work. It was certainly a fast way down. After that excitement, it was really quite dark, so we put our head torches on for the rocky stretch.
We were all tired but still a bit excited when we got back to the village. Clearly a drink was in order. Thanks to Alex for sharing his pizza.
There was one guide (Antonio) and around 15 walkers. The climb was very steep in places, but Antonio set a steady pace that we could just about keep up with. Apparently, a couple of French women has been sent back the previous day for being unable to keep up.
It got misty as we got higher, and we could hear the rumbles from the crater. What's more, clouds of volcanic dust rained down on us. We were still in cloud (and a cold wind) when we reached the lower summit and donned our crash helmets and any other clothes we'd brought. However, the cloud lifted as we crossed the ridge to the edge of the crater and we could see that we'd climbed through a lower level of cloud. There were minor eruptions in the crater every 20 minutes or so, sending up plumes of smoke and a spit of lava in the crater. Views were incredible as the sun went down. It really would have been such a shame to have come to this island and not done this walk.The first part of the descent was steep and sandy (top left in the 3D picture below). Antonio demonstrated the correct technique - lean back, put one heel down quite hard and let it slide, repeat with other leg. Once you got the hang of it, it was quick and easy, but very hard work. It was certainly a fast way down. After that excitement, it was really quite dark, so we put our head torches on for the rocky stretch.
View Stromboli sunset in a larger map
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