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Vesuvius, the Volcano

December 28th, 2001

Posted in Europe, Italy, Vesuvius |

Vesuvio taken from down the road<br /> towards the observatory where I was almost late for picking up the last bus.

vesuviuslink.jpg

Vesuvius… Yes, as in the actual Volcano

A hike up to the top to see a crater that once ravaged a civilization.

If I heard “I hear it was going to blow today” or “…or it’ll blow” once last time from any more creative tourists walking on the rim of the crater, I think I might just have to give out flyers to the best discount taxi service from Ercolano.

In Ercolano, the taxi guys tried to convince us that there was snow and ice at the top and the bus was not going to allow us to get to the top parking lot. Well, I know how these Italians are down south, they always insist and basically know the best sales talk possible. But, we didn’t listen and of coarse they were right and we were completely wrong. Our bus stopped at the ice (shown in the link), we had to walk all the way up to the top parking lot and then 30 minutes more on the side of the crater. Walking uphill while stripping layers, we watch ourselves and the accompanying ‘5-Star’d fur coated highhealed tourists’ (who obviously didn’t expect such an adventure) slipping all over the ice coated pavement. Then of coarse, Mario and Luigi, the taxi drivers who spent forever trying to get our business, passed us by while smiling and rubbing it in with a wave.

Once at the top of the crater, the view was spectacular and worth a thousand words. They say it was “breathtaking” in ‘Lonely Planet’ and it is for one of three reasons: because its really damn beautiful, the long ass hike, or the smog from Naples will choke you. On the top you can see inside the crater and see the vents emitting steam. Well worth the effort.

Since the buses couldn’t reach the top parking lots on this particular day, I had to walk 5 kilometers down to the observatory which was further than I started. Luckily I know my thumb well so I hitched a ride with a cool Canadian girl while walking back. Coincidentally her friends were in the car and had enough space for only 1 more, so we fitted 2 more instead. 4 people in the back of a sedan going down the most turn intensive roads, I really couldn’t ask for anything more unexpected and just flat out fun.

Luckily I made it to the last bus or I would’ve been walking a long way to civilization.

Pictures of Vesuvius

The roads were icy and slippery. Cars were stuck and one bus couldn’t leave. The taxi guys in Ercolano weren’t lying today.The 30 minute trail that starts up the side of Vesuvio. Since it was snowing earlier it was very interesting walking the path.While walking up the crater you are already welcomed by the magnificent view of the Bay of Naples and vicinity.The mountain ranges in the distant also contain snowcapped peaks in the south of Italy.An upclose view of the enormous volcanic crater.The westwall of Vesuvio’s crater, the one emitting steam and shows its activity.The inside wall of the crater.Another look at the westwall with the vents emitting steam.A breathtaking view of the bay of Naples, a tip of Sorrento (left) and Capri (middle) in the distant.The Bay of Naples, the heart of Italy.The eastern wall of Vesuvio contains less activity.A better look at the west wall and the steam vents.A view of the north east wall of the crater with steam arising underneath.Another view of the north east wall of the crater with steam arising underneath.Looking down the crater into above the tree line and towards the city of PompeiiThe ridge and down the side of the crater where lava once flowed.Steps up the side of the crater allowing further access towards the last leg of the trail.Another view looking down the crater towards the local towns.Inside the crater.The trail on the side of Vesuvio is cool. Once you have become exhausted to climb to the top they tax you once more just enter the 100 meter trail that encompasses the crater. Its definitely worth it, but being out of breath and asking for more money is not such a great mix.Inside craterAmazing Vistas. A view of Pompei below with the scenic mountain ranges that cascade over the beautiful Amalfi coast.The trail of Vesuvio can be fun especially if you slip on the snow and fall to the left.Vesuvio taken from down the road towards the observatory where I was almost late for picking up the last bus.The bus that couldn’t leave the road because it was so icy. And of coarse the 5-Star’d people who had allot of fun today!

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This entry was posted on Friday, December 28th, 2001 at 9:28 pm and is filed under Europe, Italy, Vesuvius. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


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