What is it?
The experience I propose takes place inside a natural watercourse, the
Arzino stream, along its main route, among short horizontal
gorges, small
waterfalls,
slides,
natural pools and other spectacular formations. The route is not particularly rough or demanding, but it requires confidence in the aquatic environment, swimming ability, attention and the Guide's precise instructions at each passage.
What is it called?
River Trekking. It is typically practiced by walking and swimming, with the help of buoyancy aids, wetsuit and protective helmet, under the supervision of a qualified, experienced and well-prepared guide.
What is the difference between streams and rivers?
The main difference, and the most important one for us, concerns the
water flow. In streams it is very variable, irregular and quickly affected by rain, especially thunderstorms, while in rivers it is generally more constant and changes much more slowly, even when it rains. In the Arzino stream, in the sections where I will take you, there is always a good amount of flowing water that makes the activity possible, but in case of a significant increase in water flow, the activity may become too demanding and changing the route, postponing or cancelling the activity may become necessary options to preserve the best safety conditions.
When is it practiced?
Usually in summer, because the low water temperature becomes pleasant rather than uncomfortable. The classic period is
from June to September.
During the season it is also essential to monitor water levels after rainfall, because above a certain flow the stream becomes very dangerous or even inaccessible.
Who can do river trekking in the Arzino stream?
Anyone with normal physical condition,
from about 12 to 14 years old and up, swimming ability and willingness to progress through rough natural environments.
The activity is not suitable for beginners, people with limited confidence in the water or families with small children.
During registration I will ask you for
a few simple details that help both me and you understand your real predisposition for this activity, and I will be happy to discuss any questions or additional information that may help you choose.
What if I cannot swim?
For a good part of the route we move by floating and swimming, so if you cannot swim and do not have a good relationship with water, this is not the right experience for you. You can try one of my other similar proposals instead.
What if I am afraid of water?
Fear in itself
is not an obstacle. In fact, it is useful because it keeps
awareness and
attention active during each passage. However, during this activity there are not the right conditions to experiment with my adaptation techniques for natural aquatic environments, so it is better to try one of my more suitable proposals, above all the
Brent de l'Art.
How long does it last?
Time in the water depends on our ability to resist the cold and can be estimated at
about 2 to 4 hours. The rest concerns approach, preparation and return operations, roughly from morning to early afternoon, about
08:30 to 15:30.
I also prefer to dedicate a little more time to this activity and
take things calmly, first to let you spend a relaxed and
stress-free day in nature, including time to explain the extraordinary environment, and second to take proper care of the initial briefing, where I explain how to
best prevent risks and hazards typical of this experience.
Is it dangerous?
Yes. Like any activity in life, it
exposes us to risks and hazards, but I can guarantee that, thanks to the way I work and to my background of knowledge, certified skills and experience, we will move with the
highest possible level of safety and reliability.
As soon as we start, you will notice that my way of guiding is based on the lowest possible risk level for every single passage we face.
On my
main river trekking page you can read clients' comments if you want an idea of my professional standard.
Is it tiring?
Rather than
physical fatigue, since the route is short and has little elevation gain, we will face a
thermal kind of fatigue, because water dissipates body heat about 25 to 30 times more than air.
This means that we may feel a little tired when we return, but recovery is much faster and the pleasant feeling the following day is quite different from what you feel after strenuous muscular activity.
Can I bring my own wetsuit?
Yes, you can bring your own wetsuit or other personal equipment, but for simplicity I should say in advance that I do not offer discounts for this. The equipment must be suitable, and we can check it together by the day before. Above all, your wetsuit must be full length and 5 mm thick, and it will be subject to heavy wear and risk of tears or abrasion.
What about food and drink?
For this type of experience it is important to
eat well the day before and have a
substantial breakfast in the morning. If you feel hungry before starting, you can easily have a snack.
During the activity there are no food stops. When in contact with water people usually do not feel thirsty, but I always carry a small bottle of water in my backpack in case of need.
By the time we finish, most kitchens in the local venues are already on break. If you do not want to bring a packed lunch, I can suggest more than one option for refreshment in the surrounding area.
Changing rooms, showers and toilets?
My working philosophy does not include setting up a fixed base where I run my activities, because I have always believed that nature exploration involves compromises to
reduce environmental impact as much as possible. Faithful to the motto
take only photographs, leave only footprints, I limit my presence to one or two excursions per week, with no permanent infrastructure. In short, I try not to overdo the commercial side of my work. The stream water is not dirty enough to require a shower afterwards, a normal sarong is enough for changing, and basic needs can be managed in nature or at the nearest public venue. I have offered this experience
since 2008 and this method has always worked, helping keep the ethical value and ecological sustainability of my presence as high as possible.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. If you need glasses, I will explain how to avoid losing them. However, if you can move without them, it is better not to use them because if they fall into the water, recovering them in this stream is often extremely difficult due to water depth and current speed. You can wear contact lenses and I can carry a spare pack in my backpack.
What about specific medical conditions and life-saving medicines?
Because of your
right to privacy, I cannot know whether you have any specific medical conditions, but if you think it is appropriate you can tell me, and I can also
carry with me, in my backpack and in a watertight container, any
life-saving medicines you may need.
Can I bring a camera or action camera, such as a GoPro?
Yes, provided you have a support or case that keeps your
hands free while moving. I always carry a
professional camera and create a
photo and video report that I will send you as a souvenir.
Where will valuables and car keys be kept?
We must carry car keys and anything that is not wise to leave inside the vehicles, so try to keep valuables to a minimum. My backpack capacity is naturally limited, and earrings or other jewellery could fall into the water and be lost, just as a wristwatch could be damaged by rocks or water infiltration.
