canyon exploring with Michele Angileri

Canale Tracalone

One of the most enchanting places in Calabria, very rich in natural beauties and outdoor sports opportunities. Canyoning enthusiasts find here different trails, first of all the Canyon of river Lao. which begins 2 Km down the village of Laino..

Very short, beautiful, tight narrows, featuring a sequence of 3 waterfalls and a nice stone-arch. Approach, dressing, undressing and return require less than 3 hours. Do it if you are in the vicinity and you have little time.

I remember ...

I started my canyoning summer in Calabria with this easy exploration, so I can get more confidence with these solitary places ... The canyon is exactly as I expected to be (I had seen it from the bottom during previous summer): a beautiful final high waterfall preceded by short narrows. Nothing difficult? only a little. I have to fix bolts for second rappel in an exposed point because it is the only point having decent rock. So one has to use rope to get to the start of second rappel. Below there are very short narrows bringing to the top of high final waterfall. My ropes are enough for it. The rappel-line remains out of falling water. There is good rock for bolts, and I can place them working comfortably straight.
All is perfect, but it might have been different. The top of high waterfall might have been under water falling from former waterfall, there could even be a pool (no way to work comfortably straight) ... In canyon exploring everything may be difficult and even dangerous, even what seems easy and predictable. So I am always in strain while exploring a hard place like a canyon.

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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