based on the colours used to grade ski-runs. From easiest to hardest, these are green, blue, red and black.
Grading of canyons is not an exact science and the difficulty of any canyon will change depending on the levels of water. Water levels can vary somewhat from year to year, and an ‘easy’ canyon may well become incredibly dangerous after a storm or prolonged rain. However, the grading gives an idea of what to expect in average conditions.
The Route Planner at the back of the book shows the star rating and difficulty rating for each route to help you plan your trip.
Canyon grading system
The grading is calibrated for a party of five people who have no knowledge of the canyon but who have a level of experience and fitness appropriate for it. It is comprised of three parts – vertical character (v), aquatic character (a), and the level of engagement, indicated by a Roman numeral. The letters v and a are followed by a numerical value from 1 (easiest) to 7 (hardest), although the grading is open-ended. Both components may change over time as the quality of rigging (which safeguards climbs as well as aquatic abseils) improves or deteriorates. Engagement is rated from I (frequent escapes) to VI and beyond (few, if any, escapes). The result is a grade in the form v4.a3.IV, meaning the canyon has a vertical rating of 4, an aquatic rating of 3 and an engagement level of IV.
Rope length
With repeated wet–dry cycles a rope can shrink by as much as 10 per cent of its original length, which means that a factory-stamped 50m rope may well turn out to be a few metres short on a 50m pitch. All pitch lengths and rope lengths quoted assume the use of a pre-shrunk rope. It is therefore essential to soak and dry the rope a few times, then remeasure it, before canyoning with it for the first time. The topo should not be relied upon too heavily for individual pitch lengths, given the difficulty of measuring pitches accurately while canyoning.
Descent times
Descent times are only a guide. They are based on a party of four canyoners with a level of experience appropriate for the descent, and assume normal summer conditions.
AIC rigging
The Associazione Italiano Canyoning (AIC) has equipped a number of canyons across Italy. The rigging is generally of a very high standard on double P-hangars and chains in well thought-out positions. The list of canyons equipped is growing – check the ‘Progetto pro canyon’ link on the AIC website.
Low water levels makes Chiadola (Route 69 in the Friuli Dolomites) great for beginners
Tick rating
Tick bites are a particular risk in Carnia and the Julian Alps and in the Dolomites. In these chapters the canyons are given a tick rating, dependent on the chance of encountering ticks during approach walks. Walks are graded 1 = small risk to legs only, 2 = bites to legs guaranteed without protection, or 3 = bites everywhere a possibility (ie a proper thrash in the undergrowth!). Risk is greatly reduced by taking simple precautions (see the introduction to ‘The Belluno and Friuli Dolomites’ for details).
Left or right?
In describing directions on the approach walk or in the canyon, the ‘true’ (or ‘orographic’) direction is given if there could otherwise be confusion. For example the ‘true’ right of a river is the right side of the river when facing in the direction of flow.
TIP
If you are taking a digital camera along, take a photo of the canyon description, topo and access details to refer to if needed, rather than taking this book down the canyon.
KEY FACTS
Time zone GMT +1
Language Italy and Ticino – Italian; Austria and Swiss Valais – German; Slovenia – Slovenian
Currency Euro (€) in Italy, Austria and Slovenia; Swiss Franc (CHF) in Switzerland
Visas Not required for citizens of the EU, US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand if staying less than three months. South Africans require a ‘Shengen’ Visa, allowing travel across the borderless states of mainland Europe.
International dialling code Italy +39 (for landlines, the zero of the area code must be included in the number dialled; for mobile phones it must be excluded); Switzerland +41; Austria +43; Slovenia +386
Electricity Switzerland has a three-pin plug system, while Italy has two-pin plugs with two different diameters. Take a universal plug to be certain.
The spectacular pitch-head at the end of the second encased section of Lodrino Inferiore (Route 33, Ticino)
VAL D’OSSOLA
Sunny, open canyoning typical of Val d’Ossola (Route 5)
On first arriving in Val d’Ossola, you would be forgiven for feeling a bit apprehensive. The valley itself is a busy trunk route to Switzerland, lined with commerce and light industry. It is fairly nondescript on account of its steep, forested sides, and – worse still – there’s not a canyon in sight! But delve into the side-valleys and the region starts to reveal its charm. Higher up, the forested foothills give rise to grassy clearings and mountain vistas. Seldom-trodden footpaths wind between tumbledown hamlets, while to the north and east two protected areas lend rugged beauty and isolation. Yet this is a region overlooked by foreign tourists. Most remain on the periphery, lured south to the sunny shores of Lake Maggiore or west to the mountaineering peaks along the Swiss border.
Canyoning here began in the early 1990s following the work of visiting French speleologists. Given the wealth of sporting routes in the area, it remained surprisingly little known outside Italy until just a few years ago. The region is gaining popularity, though, and justifiably so. The canyons here range from tall and spectacularly eroded gneiss chasms to high mountain water-parks, with abundant water and deep, sunny pools. A good selection of easier routes caters for less experienced parties, but – like everywhere else in the Italian Alps – those with more experience will get the most out of the region.
Rasiga Superiore (Route 3) – endless deep pools and sunshine
The final pitch in Mondelli 1 (Route 5a)
WHERE TO STAY
Domodossola’s central position makes it an ideal base. Shops and services are plentiful and the centre itself is surprisingly pleasant. Unfortunately, there is little suitable accommodation nearby. Most campsites are about a 30min drive away in different directions,
