Running Travel and Tours

SICILIAN VOLCANO TRAIL

Over the tracks of Volcanoes

from April 24^th to May 01^st 2011

Main characteristics :

A hard Trail in the hearth of the Mediterranean

A race through the wild nature to climb the highest active volcanoes in Europe: Mt Stromboli and Mt Etna.

Between sea and mountain, in the beautiful frame of Aeolian Islands and Mt Etna

DESTINATION: “SICILY AND THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS”

Already known during the Egyptian civilization, the island has been part of the powerful empires of the past, such as the Greek and the Roman ones. Having been a cross-roads for different cultures and civilizations, Sicily owns a huge architectural heritage. After being dominated by the Romans, the island has been ruled by Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. Afterwards, Angioini and Aragonesi preceded the long reign of Bourbons, until 1860 when Sicily was joined to the recently born Italy. The climate is temperate all year round, characterized by hot summers cooled by sea breeze over the coast and mild winters.

THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS:

The scientists define the archipelago as a “volcanic arc” and explain the origin of the islands with the continents drift theory. The African continental clod is supposed to get nearer and nearer to the European one, placing itself under the European clod. As a result, a seismic area has been formed. This zone is characterized by some fractures over the lithosphere where the magma comes from. The Aeolian arc is about 140 Km large. The region that includes all the 7 islands is made up of a huge plain, belonging to Mar Tirreno, 3600 mt deep from where volcanoes have risen, thanks to lave emission. The actual shape of the Aeolian Islands is the result of a volcanic activity lasting 360.000 years.

VULCANO:

Being already famous in the past for the activity of its volcano, the characteristic attitude of this volcano has been defined as “volcanic” and internationally adopted to indicate the explosive and destroying temper of the phenomenon.

LIPARI:

Lipari is the main island of the archipelago. Mt Pilato forms the North-East end of the island and give off flows of pumice and obsidian stone. In Lipari valley a stange round rocky bastion lies. During the Greek period it has been called “Acropoli” and during the Middle Ages “Castle”.

SALINA:

It is the wildest island of the archipelago and the first to have been included into the Monte Fossa delle Felci Natural Reserve, the highest mountain in the Sicilian minor islands and the second in the Italian islands. All around another crater, still visible, now a few km under the surface of the sea, the small village of Pollara has been built. It is possible to swim in the middle of the old mouth of the volcano.

STROMBOLI :

It is the only European volcano in constant activity and one of the five permanent active volcanoes all over the world. Its temper is so representative that it has been given the name “Strombolian activity” to any similar volcanic phenomenon. The island, 924 m high, is the perfect volcanic pyramid that rises from a sea bottom, 2000 m deep.

ETNA :

Mt Etna is not only the highest active volcano in Europe but also a mountain where it is possible to find recent lave flows where no living creatures have yet settled and older flows where groups of larches, beeches and birches have grown.

Mt Etna is often erupting: during the last 30 years an average of an eruption every three years has been reported. This eruptions lasted from 5 days to more than a year.

Sicilian Volcano Trail Itinerary 2011

24/04 Catania – Aeolian Islands

Individual arrival at Catania Airport in the morning

12.00 Bus transfer to Milazzo harbour.

14.30 Hydrofoil to Vulcano and check-in at the hotel.

18.30 General briefing about the Trail.

20.00 Dinner and overnight stay in Vulcano.

25/04 Aeolian Islands - Vulcano

07.30 Breakfast

10.00 Leg I – La Fucina di Vulcano

Climbing the central crater of Vulcano and Vulcanello, from Porto Levante. Run: 10 Km (altitude max 390 m, drop: +550m/-550m)

13.00 Lunch at Vulcano and chance to take mud baths.

14.30 Transfer by hydrofoil to Salina and check-in at the hotel.

20.00 Dinner and overnight stay in Salina

26/04 Aeolian Islands - Salina

07.00 Breakfast

09.00 Leg II – La Didi (Dydime)

Climbing the two Volcanoes of Salina Island: track from Santa Marina Salina to Rinella. Run: 18 km (altitude max 962 m, drop: +1350 m, -1230 m)

13.30 Lunch and free afternoon free for sea bathing or excursion to the island of Lipari.

20.00 Dinner and overnight stay at Salina

27/04 Aeolian Islands - Stromboli

07.00 Breakfast

08.30 Transfer to Stromboli.

10.00 Arrival at Stromboli, walk to the hotel and free time to discover the lovely village of San

Vincenzo or relaxing at the black beaches of the island.

12.30 Buffet on the terrace of the Ingrid Bar and briefing for the race

15.00 Leg III – A whirl of fire (Strongyle)

Climbing Stromboli summit. Run: 12 Km (altitude max 924 m, drop: + 924 m / - 924 m)

18.00 It is possible to climb to the summit of the crater to look at the night explosions

20.00 Dinner in local Pizzeria and overnight stay in Stromboli.

28/04 Sicily - Mt Etna

08.00 Breakfast

12.30 Hydrofoil to Milazzo (2 h) Pic nic lunch on board

15.00 Arrival at Milazzo harbour and transfer to the southern side of Mt Etna.

17.00 Arrival at the hotel on the southern side of the Etna at 1900 mt of altitude.

19.00 Briefing on Etna races

20.00 Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

29/04 Sicily – Mt Etna central crater

07.30 Breakfast

10.30 Leg IV - The Ciclope’s eye - Climbing Mt Etna’s central crater

Run: 16 Km (altitude max: 2900 m, drop: +1000 m/-1000 m)

13.00 Buffet

20.00 Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

30/04 Sicily - Mt Etna Park

06.30 Breakfast

08.30 Leg V: La Pista Altomontana - Round track over the foothills of Mt Etna: /South/North

Run: 38 Km (altitude max: 2020 m, drop: +850 m/-600 m)

13.00 Buffet and delivery of the rewards to the winners

15.30 Transfer to Catania (1 h) and free time in the city centre of Catania.

20.00 Dinner and overnight stay in Catania.

01/05 Sicily – Catania

After breakfast individual departure of the runners. The stay may be extended in Catania or in Taormina.

Technical Information

The Sicilian Volcano Trail is a individual-time trial race in stages that requires a very good physical training and excellent endurance. The stages are generally run over dirt tracks, but short climbing and water crossings must be expected too. The Sicilian Volcano Trail is open both to men and women over 18 years. This race, divided into stages, runs for 94 Km with a positive drop of 4.670 m. The race is divided into 5 timed runs. The maximum numbers of participant is 50 runners and 20 companions.

Meeting point: each runner is responsible of arriving on time at the meeting point at 12 am at Catania airport. In case of delay the staff of the race must be informed. Each delay that is not supported by a reasonable justification is cause of elimination, without any refund.

Required documents: I.D is required for entering in Italy for European citizens. It is compulsory a Medical Certificate, stating your good health for facing races and trails issued by a sport medical center with a test on physical efforts confirming that the athlete is physically fit for this race. No certificate are required for companions.

Equipment:

- trail running shoes, on Etna you can run for short distance on the snow

- “camel bak,” or a belt that can carry a 2l. bottle

- sweat-shirt or a pile

- light windbreaker (on Etna temperature can low under 0°)

- warm hat and gloves

- gators for sand (on Etna and Stromboli there are steep descents on lava sand

- T-shirts with fast dry system

- mineral salts, energy bars and dry fruits

- ear plugs and eye drops

- protective sun lotion for skin and lips

- anti-reflection sunglasses and motorcycle glasses (in case of wind)

- a whistle and a first aid kit

- walking poles advised

- sandals and swimsuit

- Compeed plasters or mole skin

- Headlamp

Luggage: luggage transfers are organized with hotels. Anyway, sometimes you have to carry your luggage for short distances (for example when you catch the hydrofoil). We advise you to use two kind of bags: a big one with wheels and a backpack as hand luggage. We advise to put all the necessary for the run on the hand luggage (shoes, shorts, t-shirts and camel bak). Sometimes luggage get lost and they will delivered after some days…

Weather: at the end of April the average temperature in the region is forecast at 25° degrees Celsius. During the night and on Etna, temperatures could be very cold. Rains are possible in that period. Anyway every year runners have time for bathing at the Aeolians Islands.

Statute of loyalty

Each runner must respect the Statute of loyalty that requires to help any runner in trouble until the arrive of a member of the organization. The runner who help must take the time spent in helping others by themselves and it will be taken off from the total time of the leg at the end of the same leg. Also, they receive a 1 minute bonus for each 5 minutes of assistance. If the statute is not respected or is misunderstood on purpose the runner is eliminated.

Hike program for runners travelling companions:

In order to follow the runners during the race we propose a hiking parallel program, escorted by a English speaking guide, for all the week. We will hike on the same paths run by the competitors and it will be possible to hike over the top of the volcanoes, discover the environment and look at the runners passing by.

Program modification: the proposed itinerary can be changed by race director if necessary, especially in case of volcanic eruptions, climatic conditions or other extraordinary circumstances. Any form of refund is previewed in case of cancellation of one or more legs due to bad weather or to safety reasons

Hiking program for traveling companions

Volcano Trail 2011

24/04 - Catania - Vulcano

Individual arrival in Catania and meeting at Catania airport at 12h00. Bus from Catania to Milazzo harbour and then hydrofoil to Vulcano. General briefing, dinner and overnight stay in hotel in Vulcano.

25/04 - Aeolian Island - Vulcano

Trek Leg I – La fucina di Vulcano – 3 h trekking

Climbing the volcano, with its fumaroles and sulphur. Lunch at Vulcano and chance to take mud baths. Transfer by hydrofoil to Salina (35 min). Dinner and overnight stay at Salina apartements.

26/04 - Salina

Trek Leg II - La Didi (Didyme) - 4 h trekking

Transfer by bus to Val di Chiesa and climbing Mt Porri. Great view over the Aeolian archipelago. Buffet at Lingua and free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at Salina.

27/04 - Stromboli

Trek leg III – La Sciara del Fuoco – 3 h trekking

Day of relax in Stromboli. Chance to take sea baths on the black beaches of the island. Shopping in the village of San Vincenzo. In the afternoon excursion to 400 mt to have a look at the amazing explosions of the crater. Possibility of night excursion to the summit at 900 mt (option to be paid 25 euros per person). Dinner in pizzeria and overnight stay at the hotel.

28/04 - Etna South

Buffet at Stromboli. Hydrofoil to Milazzo and transfer to the Southern side of the Etna. Check-in at the hotel at 1900 mt of altitude. Diner and overnight stay.

29/04 - Mt Etna central crater

Trek Leg IV - The Cyclope’s Eye – 5 h trekking

Climbing by cable way up to 2500 m. Trekking to the feet of the central crater. Descent on foot to 1900 mt passing by the outstanding “Valle del Bove”. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel on the southern side of Mt Etna.

30/04 - Mt Etna Park

Trek Leg V: La Pista Altomontana – 3 h trekking

Transfer to the northern side of Mt Etna. Trek to discover old lava flows and wonderful woods. Buffet with the runners. Transfer to Catania city centre. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

01/05 - Catania

After breakfast individual departure to the airport for international flights

NOTE: the proposed itinerary can be changed by the staff of the trail if necessary, especially in case of volcanic eruptions or other extraordinary circumstances.

Prices and Conditions Volcano trail 2011

Athletes and companions: Euro 1290

Included: Enrollment to the trail

All transfers during the trail

Hotel accommodation in double/twin room

Full board (from dinner of day 1 to breakfast of day 8 )

Escorting guide during all week (for companions)

Cable way on the Etna till 2500 m. (for companions)

Not included: International Transport to Catania and return

Transfer to Catania airport on day 8

Personal Insurance

Drinks and personal purchases

Optional excursion to Stromboli summit (25 € per person)

Supplement: single room euro 175 (if available)

Reduction: Accommodation in triple room: 1240 €

Accommodation in quadruple room: 1190 €

Early booking special price (for reservation before 31/12/2010): - €100

Please send $500 deposit with Application Form to

Amazing Running Tours
9841 Villa Pacific Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92646

Volcano Trails Application Form

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from April 24th to May 01 st 2011

from April 24^th to May 01^st 2011