Part IV of the skiver’s tour of Italy!

Dave and Pat arrived that evening, and it was another foul day, heavy rain and mingingness. Being young and keen, we went shopping again, and then huddled under umbrellas while the newcomers (team half holiday) ran the Gronda and Sorba Slides.

TPTV filming. (Pic, S Nash)
After a night on the vino, we waved a fond fairwell to Val Sessia, and headed West to Val Aosta. The Ayasse was high on our hit list after seeing photos of a fun slide-fest on www.adventurepaddler.org. When we (finally) got there, it was a apparent we were in for something a bit special. Fantastic, if a little terrifying waterfall paddling in a narrow gorge. Truly excellent.

Nick Horwood hucking his meat on the put in slide.

Me on the big hit entering the last gorge. (Pic S Nash) From the rocks where Tom and Dave are, you have 2 options. Run the drop, or jump into the pool with your boat, and hope that you don’t wash down into the sticky hole and 20 foot slide combo!

Tom P in the midst of it. The entry fall can just be seen in the background. After such an awesome run, it was only fitting to have an awesome meal, and the local restaurateur’s eclectic “no menu” scheme worked out rather well.

Coming up in the concluding part… The Soana, jumping of bridges, and home time!