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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
WARNING: There are graphic disturbing images at the bottom of this post
The South Face Vesuvius Seen From Sorrento
I thought it would be cool to climb Vesuvius. With the exception of Tambora and Krakatoa it's estimated that Vesuvius has claimed more lives than any other mountain on earth. Thus the catchy title.
Railings? The Tourist Trail
Anyhow, from satellite imaging, I was able to determine that the old trail on Vesuvius makes a full circumnavigation of the crater, whilst the tourist trail (complete with cattle guards) only allows access to the western rim, which is much lower than the actual summit.
The Summit Monte Faito (1444 meters) And The Tyrrhenian Sea
I cut off of the main trail when I reached the south face and ascended ash and scree directly towards the crater rim until I came to the old trail. This I followed to the summit and beyond, making a full circumnavigation of the crater rim and eventually rejoining the tourist trail. I jogged on the downhill hoping to rejoin the mass hordes before I was noticed. At one point I saw a huge vent emitting a continuous cloud of gas forty feet wide and 30 feet high. This reminded me that Vesuvius is STILL VERY ACTIVE and it is certain to erupt again, although nobody knows when. Will the descendants of Pompeii ever learn?
Volcanic Gas (view full size and look for people on the rim top) The Deep Caldera The Register
It's eruptions are recorded to have happened on or around each of the following years: 79, 172, 203, 222, 303, 379, 472, 512, 536, 685, 787, 860, 900, 968, 991, 999, 1006, 1037, 1049, 1073, 1139, 1150, 1270, 1347, 1500. 1631, six times in the 18th century, eight times in the 19th century, 1906, 1929, and 1944. Can you decipher the code? I can't. But I know that's an average of once every 43 years.
My grandfather was flying a plane for the allied troops during the most recent eruption and he was able to take a most historic areal photograph of the ash plume. I'll try to find the print so I can add it later.
Crater Panorama
After making it down without any burns or singed clothing or fines for that matter, I headed north to the Dolomites, but that's another story.
Victim of the 79 AD eruption on display in the ruins of Pompeii. The ruins of the city along with it's inhabitants were accidentally discovered in 1749.
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Josh Journey a.k.a Josh Lewis
Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 4830 | TRs | Pics
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Nice! Loved the email you sent me on this, especially the prominence dorks and volcano junkies part. Anyways looks like you had a cool time.
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Michael Lewis Taking a nap
Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 629 | TRs | Pics Location: Lynnwood, WA (for now) |
Jogging is still groovy man
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Redwic Unlisted Free Agent
Joined: 23 Feb 2009 Posts: 3292 | TRs | Pics Location: Going to the Prom(inence) |
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Redwic
Unlisted Free Agent
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Sat May 28, 2011 6:20 am
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Nice TR. Thanks for sharing!
Once again, you are Gimpilator: International Mountaineer of Mystery
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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Magellan Brutally Handsome
Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 13116 | TRs | Pics Location: Inexorable descent |
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Magellan
Brutally Handsome
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Sat May 28, 2011 7:37 am
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Good stuff! I'm looking forward to the Italy report.
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Snowdog Member
Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1027 | TRs | Pics Location: on (& off) the beaten path |
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Snowdog
Member
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Sat May 28, 2011 8:23 am
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nice! I'm a fellow volcano junkie myself. We should compare notes some time.
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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Slugman It’s a Slugfest!
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 16874 | TRs | Pics
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Slugman
It’s a Slugfest!
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Sat May 28, 2011 11:32 am
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belowfellow Transplant
Joined: 22 Feb 2009 Posts: 261 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
Looking forward to the rest of the reports!
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Sun May 29, 2011 7:33 pm
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Great report!
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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the Zachster Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 4776 | TRs | Pics Location: dog training |
Thanks for is great trip report!
My father was in Italy during part of his service in WWII (Army). He told us many stories but among them was his climb up Vesuvius on a "day off" (not quite sure what that is during war...but he was quite the adventuresome one...). He didn't refer to a trail and said that by the time he got back down his boots were destroyed by the pumice and ash.
Your report reminds me that one day I need to follow in his footsteps.
What else are you doing in Italy/Europe?
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am"
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EastKing Surfing and Hiking
Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Posts: 2082 | TRs | Pics Location: 77 miles from Seattle! |
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EastKing
Surfing and Hiking
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Mon May 30, 2011 12:21 pm
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Hmm... I wonder why this picture REALLY was taken! LOL
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
YouTube | SummitPost
Saw the depths of despair. Now I am salvaging what time I have left on Earth.
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touron Member
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Posts: 10293 | TRs | Pics Location: Plymouth Rock |
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touron
Member
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Mon May 30, 2011 12:36 pm
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Slugman wrote: | To me, the graphic and disturbing images were of all the tourists. |
And to me, those were the masterpieces, the Rembrandts, the Renoirs, the Raphaels.
In fact, I hereby nominate this photo for the 2012 calendar, month of May :
Touron is a nougat of Arabic origin made with almonds and honey or sugar, without which it would just not be Christmas in Spain.
Touron is a nougat of Arabic origin made with almonds and honey or sugar, without which it would just not be Christmas in Spain.
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fzte All in the Boots
Joined: 27 Dec 2009 Posts: 85 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
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fzte
All in the Boots
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Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:04 pm
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Very cool TR on a very unique mountain
Edit: For those of you that are into railings...
http://www.stairporn.org (It's not what you think.)
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beaudaddy Coast To Cascades
Joined: 25 Feb 2010 Posts: 401 | TRs | Pics Location: Tulalip, WA |
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beaudaddy
Coast To Cascades
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Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:08 pm
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Nice railings bro!!! Great trip and the weather looked amazing!
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Gimpilator infinity/21M
Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics Location: Edmonds, WA |
Snowdog - It woukd be fun to compare notes. We should compile a list of all the ones we have climbed and all the ones we still want. I like lists and I haven't made one like that yet. The next one on my hit list is Damavand.
Slugman - Yes, i knowingly broke the rules. Youre supposed to hire a guide to walk to the summit. As an ex alpine guide, it's a matter of pride to not hire guides. I've only done it once and that was when there was no way around it, on Kilimanjaro.
the Zachster - The only other hike I did on this trip was a peak called Rittner Horn. This was primarily a family trip so I didn't take the time to do any challenging climbs but I wish I could have.
Thanks everyone else for sharing your thoughts!
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