What is it?
What I propose is
an experience that takes place inside a natural watercourse, a tributary of the
Ardo stream (
Art in the local dialect), without using ropes, carabiners, descenders or similar equipment. It usually follows the sections where the stream, cutting through rocky areas, has formed
gorges,
waterfalls,
slides,
natural pools and other spectacular formations.
Val di Botte is not too rugged or demanding to move through, and at the same time offers an extraordinary sequence of exciting and spectacular situations.
What is it called?
Torrentismo without ropes, or
River Trekking, to distinguish it from Canyoning, which is usually practiced with technical equipment derived from mountaineering and caving, and whose professional guiding is the exclusive prerogative of specialized Alpine Guides.
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 Val di Botte, in the sections where I will take you, there is always some flowing water that makes the activity possible.
When can it be done?
Typically in summer, because the low water temperature becomes pleasant rather than uncomfortable. The classic period is
from June to September, although the activity can also start in late April or May and continue into October, until the first significant drops in temperature arrive.
Throughout the season it is also essential to monitor water levels after rainfall, because beyond a certain flow the stream becomes very dangerous, if not inaccessible.
Who can do river trekking?
Anyone with a normal level of fitness,
from about 8 to 10 years old and up.
During the registration process, I will ask you for
a few simple details that will help both me and you understand your real suitability for this activity. I will also be happy to talk with you about any questions or additional information that may help you make your choice.
What if someone cannot swim?
Most of the route I propose here in
Val di Botte does not require that skill. In addition, the neoprene wetsuit we wear, the possible use of a life jacket and my presence at the right moments all help make the issue entirely
relative, provided you do not feel excessively afraid of deep water and the height of the jumps. In any case, if you want to try, we will check this together BEFORE entering the route, and if you do not feel ready I can still offer you a valid alternative along the section before the entrance to Val di Botte.
What if someone is afraid of water?
Fear in itself
is not an obstacle. On the contrary, it is a good and useful thing, even fundamental, because it keeps
awareness and
attention active during each passage, which I accompany one by one.
Fear can be overcome, and over my many years of activity - from competitive swimming to caving, scuba diving, sailing and river trekking - I have developed a special sensitivity and method for this.
In any case, do not worry: I will take you into
Val di Botte only if I believe that the experience I am proposing does not exceed the limit of your abilities.
If yours is not simple fear but a significant phobia, then think carefully. Still, know that I am also available individually for those who want to address this issue, and I have considerable experience with positive results, even real successes, in this area.
How long does it last?
The time in the water depends on our ability to withstand the cold and can be estimated at
about 2 or 3 hours at most, while the rest of the time is related to the approach, preparation and return.
Since I normally run activities in the central hours of the day, when the air temperature is warmer and sunlight reaches more vertically inside the gorges, the
overall time is roughly from morning to early afternoon, about
9:00 to 15:00.
I would also like to tell you that, unlike many other guides, I prefer to dedicate a little more time to this activity and
take things calmly for at least a couple of reasons: first, to let you spend a relaxed and
stress-free day in nature, including time to explain the extraordinary environment I am taking you into; and second, to take proper care of the initial part, during which I explain how to
best prevent the 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 begin, you will notice that the way I guide you is based on the lowest possible level of risk for each individual passage we face.
On my
introductory page you can read my clients' comments if you want to get an idea of my level of professionalism.
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 yes, we will feel a little tired when we return, but recovery times will be much faster and the feeling of well-being the following day will be pleasant and very different from what you feel after a demanding muscular activity.
Can I bring my own wetsuit?
Yes, you can bring your own wetsuit or other equipment you have, but for simplicity I should say from the start that
I do not offer discounts for this. Also consider that the equipment must be suitable, which we can check together by the day before, and above all that your wetsuit must be
full-length and 5 mm thick. Finally, bear in mind that it will be subject to heavy wear and the risk of significant tears or abrasions.
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 a
pang of hunger before starting, you can easily have a
snack.
During the activity there are no scheduled food breaks, and I can also tell you that while staying in contact with the water you normally
do not feel thirsty. However, I always have a small bottle of water in my backpack in case of need.
By the time we finish the activity, 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 in the places where I run my activities, because I have always believed that exploring nature involves
compromise choices in order to
reduce environmental impact as much as possible.
Faithful to the motto "
take only photographs, leave only footprints", I continue to limit my presence to only one or two excursions a week, with no permanent infrastructure of any kind.
In short, I try
not to overdo the "commercial" side of my work.
After all, the stream water is not so dirty that a shower is necessary after the activity; a normal sarong is enough for changing, since we are in a meadow, and any urgent need that cannot wait until the first
public venue, only a few minutes away by car, can also be managed in nature.
I have offered this experience
since 2008 and so far this approach
has always worked. It helps keep the
ethical value of my presence as high as possible and pursue the best possible
ecological sustainability.
Can I wear glasses? What about contact lenses?
Yes. I will explain how to avoid losing them. 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 are organized with a
mount or case that keeps your
hands free while moving during the activity.
In any case, I always carry a
professional camera with which I create a
photo and video report that I will then send you as a
complimentary keepsake.
Where will valuables and car keys be kept?
We will have to carry
with us the car keys and anything that is not wise to leave inside the vehicles, so try to keep valuables to a minimum.
Remember that the capacity of my backpack is obviously limited. Also, earrings or other jewelry could fall into the water and be lost, and a wristwatch could be damaged or broken by hitting the rocks or by water getting inside.
