Molto Pericoloso! My season kicks off in Italy….

Arkangel Chemical Weapons Facility (Aka. Verzasca Dam)

Hello there, so I’ve just returned from a beautiful week in the Italian and Swiss Alps. After spending a day on the middle section of the Verzasca, we stopped off for lunch on its unfeasibly large dam, before heading to the rarely run Loana and Basso for an epic day’s hiking, kayaking, and some gnarly portaging (see Tim’s post).

Your truly in a cheeky flair move on the Middle Verzasca

Simon Boofin' on the Basso

Having previously only experienced Valsesia during the monsoon, it was a revelation to arrive there in glorious sunshine. Although levels were still slightly too high for many of the steeper runs, we spent a thoroughly civilised few days enjoying the high water, relaxing in the valley’s gelateries, and arguing over how to pronounce stracciatella. Fot those stilll unsure, it’s pronounced ‘Stracciatella’.

Matt Tidy plugging hard on the upper Gronda

Relaxing at the bottom of the Gronda racecourse

Dropping in on the Sorba Slides at 'man levels'

Tim in the meat. Sirloin I believe.

The Mastallone river is not considered by many to be one of the classic runs in the area, however when the water is high and the sun is shining it makes for a grand day out, offering some fun bouldery rapids, an incredible pristine gorge, and if you head a little further up the Valley a cheeky Park ‘n’ Huck on it’s lesser trib the Landwasser. On this occasion we were lucky enough to catch a fish.

Jared Meehan and Jim Cummings: Park 'n' Fish 'n' Huck.

Simon on the Landwasser drop.

Dave Carrol from above.

On my last day in Valsesia, Simon and I entered the Valsesia River Contest downriver sprint, which due to high water on the Sermenza was to be held on the Sesia at Piccolo Canada rapid. The sun shone, we paddled hard, and despite a moderately controversial choice of line on my part, Simon and I won first and second places respectively in the ‘International’ catergory.

The Sesia in high water

Yours truly, sporting the victory bling. Solid Silver.

All in all a cracking week in one of the world’s greatest paddling destinations, and a sweet warm up to what looks to be an incredible season. I’m now back in the UK, preparing for further adventures in France and then Norway. I can’t wait.

Safe paddling, see you on the water!

Nick