canyon exploring with Michele Angileri

Fosso di Saletta

Among the streams on the orographic right of Balzi area, Fosso di Saletta is the one with the smaller feeding basin and for this reason it remains dry for most of the year. In rainy periods, however, the water flow resumes and it is therefore possible to enjoy a fun descent lightly embedded but with some pretty waterfalls and a c60 of rare beauty.

I remember ...

The exploration of Fosso di Saletta was done in two different moments, distant in time but also in technical approach and spirit.
Lower canyon was the first being explored. It was a dry cold winter. Stream had no water flowing and a couple of cascades were covered by a layer of glassy ice. I still was using "traditional" nylon climbing-caving ropes and I had to bolt an exposed belay, and a rebelay at half the cascade.

Many years later wanted to repeat the descent, but this time in wet conditions and starting higher than the previous time. With flowing water Saletta was much more charming, and moreover the upper canyon was interesting too! We had ultralight ropes, and the majestic c60 was done in one pitch, with no artificial belays.

Yes, I had underestimated Fosso di Saletta during the past years.

Photos and video by Michele Angileri e 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.

Copyright © 2002- Michele Angileri. All rights reserved.