29/07 Great Wolf!
It has been a great evening.
I expected a quiet evening with beautiful photos, maybe too quiet for a big audience. It was an emotioning evening for all, instead.
We all remained fascinated by some of the most extraordinary images of volcanoes all around the world and we all remained conquered by Wolf’s volcanic personality and love he has for what he does and for people around him.
I am very sorry I had not my camera with me and I have nothing to publish about yesterday evening.
I can just report you some of his words (as I remember them) following question we did him: what about “safety” for people who want to follow your steps? No half terms: “risk“, he said, “you can’t do these photos without risking your life and I risk mine because I feel happy and life gave me more than I could expect.”; and what about going there with a guide? Even here a “non politic” answer: “Yes but alone you and your guide, no groups… and a guide as Alfio Mazzaglia; you have to be just you and him to feel his emotion and his passion for volcano at every step and share them”.
Don’t think he wishes to see people killed by Etna, no. You have to consider also this statement: “approach to Etna with small steps, come on Etna for several years and every time get closer. After many years you will begin to be part of it”. So risk, yes, but just when you are already in a close relationship with your volcano as Wolf is and it takes long years.
Not an invitation to take stupid risk but an invitation to be adopted by a volcano and be prepared. About Wolf’s experience when hot steam and gases hurt you unexpected to have been a Formula 3 pilot and to still that old fireproof suit under your clothes can make the difference.
Photo courtesy by mr. and mrs. Krabusch, to the left Wolf Müller, to the right one of his best friend, Nino Mazzaglia, “Funivia dell’Etna” (cabel car) director.
“A colleague after my own heart” to quote Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’! This to me is the right attitude to risk – know the risks but don’t let them get in the way. I’ve seen several eruptions and very active fumaroles and am still here! The great thing about volcanoes is that unlike man-made firework displays they’re always slightly unpredictable. This adds both to enjoyment and to risk – you cannot have the one without the other.
Incidentally what happened when Wolf was ‘hurt by hot steam and gases’? Presumably he was not permanently disabled?
One thing I’ve noticed about watching activity is the way it sometimes takes you over or hypnotises you, and I suppose there’s always the chance you could stay in a danger zone for just a bit too long.
Most of us are still here but I can’t forget Thomas Reichart, Arnaud Nicoladze, Beatriz Lebeña.
Etna asked their life and I talk of them to every people asks me if it is possible to go up without a guide.
Anyway as motorbiker I can’t say than “to risk” is wrong. Risk has to be “acceptable” and we must do everything possible to reduce it to minimum.