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the Degree Confluence Project
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Italy : Sicilia

4.0 km (2.5 miles) SSW of Cefalù, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
Approx. altitude: 460 m (1509 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 38°S 166°W

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the North #3: View to the East #4: View to the South #5: View to the West #6: GPS reading #7: Ground Zero #8: The Confluence Hunters #9: Confluence mountain with quarry #10: View down from the top of the quarry #11: Cefalù

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  38°N 14°E (visit #4)  

#1: The Confluence from 15 m distance

(visited by Rainer Mautz and Elionora)

01-Apr-2018 -- This is the 2nd out of 2 reports reaching confluence points after finishing our 2571 km hike from Zurich to the southernmost tip of Sicily. The story continues from 38°N 13°E.

On our drive back to Catania along the northern coast of Sicily, we realized that this confluence, located just 5 km beeline from the coast near the town of Cefalù, could serve as prey for us before nightfall.

This confluence point has quite a unique location near the summit of a conic shaped mountain where one third of it has already been “eaten” by a quarry. I agree with Thomas Barthel, a previous visitor of this confluence point, when he predicts that the quarry might reach the confluence point one day. In this case, the confluence – defined as the point where the integer latitude, longitude and the earth surface intersect – will “fall down” 100 meters or more.

We followed the winding road “Strada Provinciale 136” upwards, left the road in a U-turn shaped curve and followed a track until we reached a gate, located 400 m west of the confluence point. We continued following the track on foot. At 270 m distance, we left the track and ascended steeply upwards over open meadows. For the last 100 m we encountered some rocks, but climbing upwards was not dangerous (nevertheless a little difficult).

The confluence is located on a steep grade quite close to the summit. Between the rocks, the soil is covered with high grass and sizzles. There is a good view to the south and west, but the coast itself is hidden by another mountain range.

After the visit, we climbed to the nearby summit. We also risked a view straight down at the quarry edge. After returning to the car, we drove down to the beautifully located town of Cefalù and spent the night there.

CP Visit Details:

  • Distance from Cefalù: 4 km
  • Distance from a road: 330 m
  • Distance from a track: 270 m
  • Time to hike to the CP: 20 minutes
  • Time at the CP: 6:35 PM
  • Measured height: 476 m
  • Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
  • Position accuracy: 5 m
  • Topography: mountainous
  • Vegetation: high grass, sizzles
  • Weather: sunny 15° C (felt temperature)
  • Given Name: The Threatening Quarry Confluence

The story finishes here.


 All pictures
#1: The Confluence from 15 m distance
#2: View to the North
#3: View to the East
#4: View to the South
#5: View to the West
#6: GPS reading
#7: Ground Zero
#8: The Confluence Hunters
#9: Confluence mountain with quarry
#10: View down from the top of the quarry
#11: Cefalù
ALL: All pictures on one page