cookieless, no-ads, no threats canyon exploring with
Michele Angileri

Fosso della Montagna (Gafaro di Martino)

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The majestic canyon of Fosso della Montagna is visible from afar as a big cut in the western wall of Grand Canyon of Lao. Engaging in it is a great canyoning experience, especially if you choose to return by going through the second half of Grand Canyon of Lao.

Name	Fosso della Montagna (Gafaro di Martino)
Area	Calabria, Valle del Lao
Nearest village	Laino Borgo
Elevation loss	270 m
Length	1200 m (fino alla confluenza col Lao)
Highest cascade	22 m
Rock	Limestone
Rating	4 to 7 (summer)
Shuttle	No
Explored by	Michele Angileri, Antonio "Nino" Larocca, Domenico "Micuzzo" Napoli, Lorenzo Vita; august 29th 1991

I remember ...

From 1988 to 1990 I was many times trough the Grand Canyon of Lao. At that time I had only rough gear and extempore partners. I wasn't into rope techniques, so I couldn't go on vertical rock.
Obviously I had seen by far the canyon of Fosso della Montagna, and I tried to go up from its confluence in river Lao, but I went soon to the bottom of a high dry waterfall stopping me.
During 1990-1991 winter I learned using ropes and harnesses. In summer of 1991 I met Nino Larocca, Micuzzo Napoli and Lorenzo Vita, (cavers from "Sparviere" Team, Calabria) and convinced them to try exploration of Fosso della Montagna canyon.

10 years after it is all the same ... Those rings of rope where we put it, around almost unreachable trees above us (were we climbing up there?). That time we placed one bolt, this time my drill places 7, and there would be others to put next time ...