Snow from a late return of winter lies in patches on and around the cone of Monte Timparossa in early May 2000. The densely forested cone is seen here from near the mountain hut of the same name, about 1 km to the NNE and nearly 300 m lower

Mamma Etna's countless children
Monte Timparossa
NE flank, 15.020907° E, 37.805409° N (S rim of crater)
Summit elevation: 2122 m

Monte Timparossa is one of the oldest flank cones of Etna that are still visible among the products of much more recent eruptions. The shape of the cone and its summit crater have been degraded by erosion in many thousands of years. Yet it is a fairly large cone, also because it sits on the upper crest of a steep slope. It is covered with dense forest on its northern slopes while there is relatively little vegetation at its summit, which lies approximately at the tree line. The poorly defined summit crater is open to the north and probably a lava flow was released through this breach.
Approximately 1 km NNE of the summit of Monte Timparossa stands one of the most beautiful mountain huts that hikers can find on Etna's slopes. This has a kitchen with a gas stove and even a toilet (without flowing water for flushing, however), which cannot be found in any of the other mountain huts on Etna. It lies within a beautiful forest but from an old lava tumulus immediately behind the building one can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the lower portion of the Northeast Rift including the large cones of Monte Timparossa and the much more recent Monte Nero, formed in 1646-1647.
I first climbed Monte Timparossa to its summit in mid-August 2002 but passed nearby on other occasions. The photographs on this page were taken during the August 2002 visit and during numerous other excursions to the Monte Nero area between 2000 and 2003.

Left: the verdant northeast flank of Monte Timparossa seen from the crater rim of Monte Nero (in the foreground) in late May 2000 Center: this is what remains of the crater of Monte Timparossa - an ill-defined depression open to the north, and partially overgrown with trees. Photograph taken in mid-August 2002 Right: the mountain hut of Monte Timparossa, lying about 1 km from the cone, is one of the most charming of the numerous mountain huts on Etna, and a popular destination of local hikers. Photo taken in early May 2000

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Copyright © Boris Behncke, "Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology"