canyon exploring with Michele Angileri

Ortanza Inferiore

At 1350 m elevation the waters of the streams in the Latium side of Laga Mounts are drained into one of the two feeding channels of Campotosto artificial lake. Downstream of the water takings the streams are always dry, except in case of floods so large to completely fill the channel or in case the water taking is obstructed by branches and debris.
Some of the streams that are kept permanently dry have canyoning interest: Selva Grande canyon, but also lower Ortanza and the final fall of Malopasso. The falls of lower Ortanza would be the perfect conclusion of a great canyoning trail, if they had water. Being dry I think they must be considered as an independent canyoning trail, shorter, easier and much less interesting than the rest of Fosso di Ortanza.

I remember ...

The first time I came to Ortanza taking (it was 1994) the part downstream the dam was covered by a lot of trees felled by avalanches.
Over the years, however, the occasional flooding of the creek saw to completely clean the bed. As I realized it I felt curiosity push me to go.

Photos and video by Michele Angileri, 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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