The Lava Man climbed anyway. Despite the warnings, the alerts, the doubts. He ascended and descended at the right times, without risking even a second. Just a couple of hours later, the crater of Etna cracked and collapsed right before his eyes, releasing a river of lively lava, heading downstream. What if he had been just a little further down? What if he had been off by a quarter of an hour or two? Impossible. Because he “knows” these things… even if no one understands how! HE is the mystery of this gigantic volcano, and even if we know his name, we won’t reveal it… because the beauty of every mystery is the thrill of investigation.
Ask about the Ibex…
The people of Etna call him “the Ibex”. Because he can climb from zero to three thousand meters in a very short time, with agility and almost effortless. As if he were jumping on the volcano, as if he lived there. And always strictly on foot!
How old is he? What does he do? Where does he live? Unanswered questions that vanish like his shadow. He certainly has a job that allows him to roam the mountain far and wide, always ready to sprint to the summit in case of an eruption. He’s certainly a free spirit, unfettered by physical and mental chains, almost a legend. If it weren’t for the real testimonies of those who met him at high altitude, those who spoke to him and photographed him… if it weren’t for his selfies posing in front of the explosions… it would seem invented. But he’s there, he exists. And he’s not afraid.
If you want to find out more about him, you can ask about the Ibex. Or type “Ibex of Etna” in the search engine’s images section. Maybe you’ll see his wonders!
Aren’t you afraid?
Afraid? Yes, he says he is—a lot!—when he admires the power of Etna, which here in Sicily is almost a god. How can you not be afraid while facing the grandeur of a god? He also says he’s not a sportsman—and perhaps he’s right, because he is “sport itself”. He can’t stay still; he’s got fire inside him, which is why he can’t stay away from the fire that’s out there. That’s why he has to smell it, the lava, touch it… don’t ask me how! And that’s why he has to be there, even knowing the risks involved.
Somehow, I managed to get him to talk about himself, at dawn on a day when the volcano was particularly agitated, amid the roars that shook the coast. Because “the Ibex” hates interviews, but loves a chat, especially when the protagonist is his beloved mountain, Etna. In fact, even if it seems like he’s talking about himself when you ask him personal questions, in the end, it’s always “Etna” that emerges.
“I’m someone who doesn’t even know my own movements, I’m a free spirit, and when I’m there admiring an activity up close, I feel as if we are one (me and her). There’s fear, a lot of it, but there’s something inside me that makes me continue, like a strong attraction, as if my head is disconnected from my “heart” and there’s someone inside me that tells me ‘go on, stand here’. Believe me, I can’t and never will be able to explain it…” These are his words. And perhaps it’s no coincidence that he understands this mountain so well, almost predicting its eruptions down to the second. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that he and the volcano are so in tune. Perhaps,the truth is that HE HIMSELF is Etna… .
Where can you meet the “lava man”?
You might encounter the solitary ibex, the lava man, at high altitudes. Certainly above 2,500 meters, on the paths leading to the summit craters.
The summit craters of Etna represent one of the most spectacular and dynamic manifestations of volcanic activity on the European continent. Located atop the highest active volcano in Europe (3,400 meters above sea level), these craters continually change shape and size due to the frequent eruptions that have characterized Etna’s recent history. The landscape surrounding them is an extreme environment, dominated by lava rocks, volcanic sands, and dark colors that contrast with the sky and the panorama of eastern Sicily.
As you know, Etna has four craters: the Voragine, the Bocca Nuova, the Northeast Crater, and the Southeast Crater, which has been one of the protagonists of the most intense eruptive phases of recent decades. Each crater has its own characteristics and can alternate periods of quiet with phases of intense activity with gas emissions, lava fountains, and flows. Standing near these giant craters is our mysterious man’s “job”. His videos are spectacular. However, he is also an expert, someone who knows the volcano like the back of his hand and anticipates its moves!
Learn about Etna’s Craters
The Northeast Crater, formed in 1911, was for a long time the highest point on Etna. Its activity contributed to the growth and transformation of the volcano’s summit. The Bocca Nuova, on the other hand, opened in 1968 near the Central Crater (now Voragine), and has exhibited significant morphological changes over the years, with frequent collapses of its internal walls and accumulations of volcanic material. The Voragine and the Central Crater constitute the historical heart of Etna’s eruptive activity.
The Southeast Crater, formed in 1971, has played a key role in the volcano’s recent landscape. Its spectacular eruptions, often accompanied by tall lava fountains visible from far away, have profoundly altered the mountain’s profile, creating new cones and lava deposits. These events demonstrate Etna’s constantly evolving nature, capable of transforming its appearance in relatively short periods of time.
Beyond their scientific value, the summit craters have great scenic and cultural significance. For centuries, Etna has fascinated travelers, scholars, and artists, becoming a symbol of the power of nature. Observing its craters allows us to understand the geological processes that shape the planet and highlights the delicate balance between volcanic activity and human presence.
Let’s reveal a little secret
If you couldn’t resist and haven’t been inspired to investigate the identity of the “Lava Man,” we’ll finally reveal a little secret to help you understand who he is. HERE you can follow his YouTube channel… enjoy!