Whitewater heaven... Valsesia in Italian Alps

May 11th - June 2nd 2018

Went out again to the kayaking mecca that is Campertogno in the Italian Alps, this time driving down from London with Tony B in his AMG performance paddle wagon.  Through the Mont Blanc tunnel and all those super scenic alpine roads.

The first week was fairly mellow with reasonable water levels and a number of groups already in the area to paddle with.  A group from Lincolnshire on the Gronda and irish Scouts on the Sesia.

The Sermenzina was a new river for me and a good challenge with the foursome from Bath/Bristol Uni expats.  Small world... included Tom H who was the son of a guy I paddled with in my BUCC days (approx 35 years ago).  Later that day my return to the Sorba slides didn't go to plan as I crash landed the first boof off the kicker - ouchhhh (that hurt for a while).

Had the middle week with super-guide Stu P and his two buddies Jen & Steve doing Lower Sermenza, Mastellone, Alpine Sprint, Egua, etc.  Got the falls & boof ledges of the Gronda paddled as well.

 Even had a stroll up to Heidi's place for lunch and to blether on about the "trotti" catchers and the proper line down the upper sorba!

Levels were coming up due to the daily thunderstorms so the choice of rivers was a regular debate in the campsite and some stuff became pretty tricky.  Chris & Lyndon did Landwasser whilst I stood rescue duty - I now regret not pushing my level that day. Oli and Natty were there too.

All-in-all a good 3 weeks of changing groups and rivers; lots of it at grade 4+/5- but this year without the sun of 2017.

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