canyon exploring with Michele Angileri

Baccu Locci

The solitary and wild valley of Baccu Locci, on south-eastern side of Quirra plateau, hosted an important mining district in 19th and 20th century, till 1965. In the upper part of the valley we see the abandoned mines, barracks, refining plants and a little artificial lake which gave water to them.
Unfortunately, mineral extraction was done without environmental care. As a result Baccu Locci valley is now poisoned by lead, arsenic and other elements.
To know more about Baccu Locci read this post e another post by Andrea Pucci.

Luckily the valley before the artificial lake wasn't interested by mining. So here environment is intact, and canyoneers may descend without poisoning risks the steep canyon of Baccu Locci.

I remember ...

Canyon exploring may be a long and complex activity ...

First you must locate a canyon. Sometimes it happens by chance, by passing near a canyon, but this happens rarely. Most canyons hide themselves very well between mountains and woods.
Sometimes you may find a canyon by searching it on a topographic map, but to understand what map might be really showing you must know the terrain, you must have been there.

Once canyon is located, begins the search for access paths. Sometimes it's very easy, other times it can be really hard, as for Baccu Locci ... Our first trial in may 2008 failed: we were driven back by the impassable bushes of Quirra plateau and we lost the right direction because the lack of reference points.

We got it at the second trial, but still it wasn't easy ...

Photos by Michele Angileri and Andrea Pucci

Photographs in this website show ultralight ropes (6 mm ropes made of high tenacity fibers). Read multimedia book Ultralight ropes canyoning technique to learn how to use them.

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