Canyoning in the Alps

A guidebook to the best canyoning descents in the alps of northern Italy and Ticino (Switzerland), with additional routes in Austria, Slovenia and the Valais Alps. Routes are split into seven separate grades, for beginners through to experts. Includes comprehensive information on equipment, hazards and techniques.

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Overview

The Alps rank high among the world's foremost destinations for canyoning. This book brings together all the most celebrated descents in the Alpine regions of northern Italy and Ticino in Switzerland, including classic limestone canyons and superb granite-gneiss water sculptures. Divided into five areas, the descents described in the guide present a huge variety of terrain, rock and styles of canyoning. Route difficulty is split into seven grades, from easier canyons suited to beginners, through to the strongest aquatic and technical challenges, which demand experienced rope skills, physical fitness and a calm head for high water. The guide provides comprehensive background information on equipment, hazards and techniques, as well as details of Alpine geology and the history of canyon exploration. The book also features additional nearby routes in Austria, Slovenia and in the Valais Alps, as well as the climbing, via ferrata and walking options in the surrounding hills and mountains.

Table of Contents

Map of areas covered
Preface

Introduction

Canyoning – a brief history
Geology of the Alps (for canyoners)
Weather and when to go
Getting there
Getting around
Waymarking, access routes and maps
The risks of canyoning
Canyoning rope techniques
Equipment and clothing
Cameras and photography
Canyon safety – precautions and pre-trip preparations
Mountain rescue, local healthcare and insurance
Canyon etiquette
Using this guide
Key facts

Val d’Ossola

Route 1 Massaschluct
Route 2 Gondo
Route 3 Rasiga Superiore
Route 3a Rasiga Inferiore
Route 4 Variola Superiore
Route 5 Mondelli 2
Route 5a Mondelli 1
Route 6 Mondelli 3
Route 7 Bianca
Route 7a Segnara
Route 8 Toce
Route 9 Rio d’Alba
Route 10 Antolina
Route 11 Isorno Finale
Route 12 Antoliva
Route 13 Ogliana di Quarata
Route 13a Menta Inferiore
Route 14 Ogliana di Beura – Parte Finale
Route 15 Marona

Ticino

Route 16 Serenello
Route 17 Bignasco
Route 18 Sponde
Route 19 Giumaglio
Route 20 Salto
Route 21 Val di Gei Inferiore
Route 22 Val Grande Inferiore
Route 23 Loco Inferiore
Route 24 Ticinetto Inferiore
Route 25 Barougia
Route 26 Malvaglia Inferiore
Route 27 Combra
Route 28 Pontirone Superiore
Route 29 Pontirone Inferiore
Route 30 Iragna Superiore
Route 31 Iragna Inferiore
Route 32 Lodrino Intermedio
Route 33 Lodrino Inferiore
Route 34 Osogna Intermedio
Route 34a Osogna Superiore
Route 35 Osogna Inferiore
Route 36 Cresciano Superiore
Route 37 Cresciano Inferiore

Lake Como

Route 38 Bodengo 2
Route 38a Bodengo 1
Route 39 Bodengo 3
Route 40 Pilotera
Route 41 Mengasca
Route 42 Casenda
Route 43 Bares
Route 44 Borgo
Route 45 Perlana Inferiore
Route 46 Bondasca
Route 46a Drögh Grand
Route 47 Lesina
Route 48 Ferro
Route 49 Cormor
Route 50 Valle di Scerscen
Route 51 Val Brutta
Route 52 Esino Inferiore
Route 53 Boazzo

The Belluno and Friuli Dolomites

Route 54 Grigno
Route 55 La Soffia
Route 56 Forti
Route 57 Pisson
Route 58 Clusa Superiore
Route 59 Clusa Inferiore
Route 60 Mus Inferiore
Route 60a Mus Superiore
Route 61 Fogarè Superiore
Route 62 Fogarè Inferiore
Route 63 Maor
Route 64 Maggiore
Route 65 Tovanella
Route 66 Zemola
Route 67 Pezzeda
Route 68 Ciorosolin
Route 69 Torrente Chiadola
Route 70 Ciolesan
Route 71 Alba-Molassa

Carnia and the Julian Alps

Route 72 Lower Rötenbach
Route 72a Upper Rötenbach
Route 73 Frauenbach
Route 74 Novarza
Route 75 Lumiei
Route 76 Rio Negro
Route 77 Viellia
Route 78 Picchionis
Route 79 Chiantione
Route 80 La Foce Inferiore
Route 81 Cosa
Route 82 Leale Inferiore
Route 83 Lavarie
Route 84 Tralba Inferiore
Route 84a Alba
Route 85 Simon Inferiore
Route 85a Simon Superiore
Route 86 Cuestis
Route 87 Rio Nero Superiore
Route 88 Rio Nero Inferiore
Route 89 Brussine
Route 90 Mlinarica

Appendix A Canyon summary table
Appendix B Further information and resources
Appendix C Campsites
Appendix D Tourist information offices
Appendix E Glossary of technical terms
Appendix F First descents

Route Index
Route Planner

Maps

Detailed topographic maps are usually unnecessary, but those wishing to buy them will find details in the ‘Practicalities’ section near the start of each regional chapter. They will certainly be needed if you wish to do any walking or via ferrata in the area. On the other hand, a good road map is very useful (1:200,000 or better). There are many such maps available, but perhaps the most convenient are the 1:200,000 Touring Club Italiano maps. These cover the whole area of this guidebook in just two sheets: ‘Lombardia’ (which covers Val d’Ossola, Ticino and Lake Como) and ‘Veneto-Friuli Venezia Giulia’ (which covers the Dolomites, and Carnia and the Julian Alps).

Updates

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August 2016

Updates

Corrections to the 2012 printing

Route 6 (Mondelli 3)
The 'return' part of the description has been displaced into route 7.
Routes 28/29 (Pontirone) and 54 (Grigno)
The access maps have been rotated to fit the page, but not the north arrows
Route 84A (Alba)
The final few sentences are missing:
It is not worth doing unless meeting a more experienced team doing Rio Tralba. It consists of fourpitches, rigged out of the water. Allow 2h for the descent. Max pitch 18m.
Route 85 (Rio Simon)
Path 428 referred to in the access description and marked on the map, should be path 424.
The Dolomites intro map
The campsite symbol should be by Cimolais not Claut.


Updates
Routes 5&6: Mondelli
It seems a dam is sadly imminent, and is rumoured to be in construction midway through lower part (April 2016). It will supposedly capture around 75% of the flow.
Route 9: Rio d'Alba
The canyon has been re-equipped as far as the final 250m pitch (July 2013).
Route 11: Isorno Finale
The canyon has been re-equipped with AIC rigging (2012).
Route 41&42: Mengasca and Casenda
A ticket is needed to use the roads that access the upper parking areas for these canyons. It is available from a machine outside the "Commune di Samolaco", located on the main road (the SP2) through the village of Era. The ticket costs €3.50 and is valid for two days.
Route 46: Bondasca
There was a significant landslide upstream of the canyon in 2012. This has damaged anchors and rendered the canyon rather gravelly. Most importantly it has created problems for the dam. You need to ring before descending (058 319 62 11). The canyoning was still forbidden during summer 2014.
Route 49: Cormor
Cormor is again possible after a period of closure (May 2016). Over the past few years there have been a couple of similar instances, and it would be worth checking the AIC forum pages before visiting.
Route 52: Esino Inf
Canyon not currently recommended due to branches & logs thrown in from above (May 2016).
Route 65: Tovanella
The canyon was re-bolted in July 2013.
Route 78&79: Vinadia
Access/escape via the tunnel for the dam mid-descent is no longer possible (as of 2016).
Route 82: Leale Inferiore
The canyon has been re-bolted to AIC standards (2013).
The access path is now out of bounds to the public. Another path has been devised, but this apparently lands upstream from the old access point, and therefore leads to some laborious-going in the river bed. See the AIC forum for details.

Reviews

'...the clarity of guidance and the sporting locations shown in the photographs mean that few cavers could resist. Take a look, take the challenge!'

Descent magazine Feb/ Mar 2013

'With the inclusion of just under 100 descents in five different regions spread over four countries, this book is well thought out and excellently presented. It provides enough information to keep keen canyoners busy for a very long time.

...All the details required for canyon tourism are there: from accommodation right down to the inclusion of basic regional information such as location of shops and banks.

And when it comes time to get wet and climb into an actual canyon, you are well and truly covered, with access, egress and of course, the descent itself covered in great detail.'

www.fatcanyoners.org Jan 2013

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