Return to Italy - May 2011

For two weeks at the end of May I found myself in the Italian Alps searching for some steep creeks to blow away the cobwebs. Arriving in Milano we squeezed all the gear into the three door hatchback and bounced our way along the motorway, the boats on top squashing the poor Micra horribly. Oh how I love rental cars!

I had been to Italy two years ago when water levels were quite high and hoped for more of the same this time around. First up was the Ayasse River in the Aosta region. I knew little about the rivers in this area but soon discovered it is full of hidden gems and the Ayasse itself has to be one of the most spectacular runs in the country. It's a continuous IV+ with many, many drops and all in a lush green valley with a road running alongside. The river is divided up into 3 sections, the top and middle sections we ran. The final section, aptly named "California" had a bit too much water this time but deserves a return trip.

Neil takes flight on the Ayasse.

Brian on the Ayasse.

Pont Boset overlooks the Ayasse.

After a few days the rains came and we left Aosta for Piedmont and the Sesia valley. It was great to be back here again and I was excited at the prospect of checking out some new runs. Alberto's campsite in Campertogno was busy as usual with the Val Sesia River festival just about to kick off. We had a few nice runs down the Sesia then it was onto the Egua and a chance to play on the kicker slide. Levels were dropping though and many of the runs were too low. What to do?! The dry spell didn't last too long though as we had an apocalyptic thunder storm that night. Levels went off the scale and so thoughts turned to coffee and ice cream, the classic Italian rest day.

Freewheel on Egua.

More Egua sliding around.

Shadowing on the Egua.

After another run or two on the Egua, it was back over to the Ayasse for a run on the middle section. This bit is about 1.5km but there is no end of fun to be had with continuous drops, all a bit bigger and more technical than the top section. We caught this in high water which made it all the more fun but beware there are a few nasty siphons on this, one one of which we all portaged at the largest drop. The section ends in the "mega slide", a twisting slide about 50m long ending in a big pool and a super way to finish the day. Unless that is you fancy continuing to California...it's well worth checking this bit out but I think it needs low water to be feasible and it certainly was not low when we scouted it. It's a breathtaking 500m long gorge with several big drops and waterfalls which get progressively harder, and once your in your in. One for next time I hope. A great trip despite the up and down river levels. Alberto even broke out the Grappa and goats cheese on the final night.

I hope to post a short guide to the Ayasse in the near future. Ciao!

The Gronda valley.

Freeride day on the Egua.