Novarza (Upper)

Novarza (Upper) Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Novarza superiore & Torrente Pieltinis.

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‌	Difficulty:‌4C3 III R (v5a6 IV) Swift water Raps:‌max ↨131ft Metric Overall: 5.5-6.5h Approach: 5min Descent: 5-6h  ⟷1.2mi  ↑1575ft Exit: 30min No Red Tape:‌ Shuttle:‌Required Yes (30 minutes)
Location:	46.4655, 12.7638
Condition Reports:
Weather:
Best season:	Sep - Nov;AVOID in After winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	Europe Alps Italy Friuli Venezia Giulia Udine

46.4655, 12.7638wtopo

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Introduction

Combination of Torrente Pieltinis – Novarza Superiore and Novarza Inferiore (old Novarza) is one of the hardest,most challenging and adventurous descents in the region of Friuli. By continuing the Torrente Lumiei, which is a natural continuation of this combination, we get one of the longest and most attractive descents throughout Italy (7-9 hours for progression). The biggest problem is in Novarza Superiore which has a lot of water troughout most of the year, which was the reason, the first descent was made in November and the first repetition in December. Torrente Pieltinis is a short, very steep canyon, almost without walking parts and it ends in Novarza Superiore. Novarza Superiore is at the first more open with some down climbing, walking and little jumps but in the second half it's narrow in some kind of meander (corridor), with delicate cascades, turbulent pools and a powerfull stream. This part is equipped with some delicate hand lines. Canyon ends in the artificial lake, which is neccesary to swim through.

Zone: Italy – Friuli – Sauris

Dimensions: Entrance: 1175 m Exit: 705 m Height: 480 m Length: 2000 m

Period September - November (Avoid it after rain and during snow melt.)

Times: Approach: 0 h Progression: 5-6 h Return: 30 min

Shuttle: Yes (30 minutes)

Equipment: Sufficient (with 10mm bolts with rings, hand lains (traverses) are equipped with fixed ropes) Take an additional 15 meters of cutting rope, for replacing damaged fixed ropes.

Rope: 2 x 40m

Highest waterfall: 34 m

Possible exit None evident

Maps: Carta Tabacco 02

Attraction: Regional (with Lumiei - National)

Difficulty: V5 a6 IV

Approach

From Tolmezzo drive in direction to the Villa Santina. In Villa Santina turn left to the Ampezzo and in Ampezzo , take the road to Sauris and follow this road about 3 km to the first hairpin bend left. Here is the exit for Lumiei canyon. Park in the lay by on the left a little further on. With second car continue in the direction to Sauris. Approximately 200 meters after the dam on Lago di Sauris turn left for Lateis (sign). Drive trough village Lateis and continue to the small bridge over the Torrente Pieltinis. Cross the bridge and immediately turn right on sand (dirt) road. Follow this road to the parking lot with wooden benches on the left and a wooden board on the right side.

Checkpoint: From the parking lot follow the road (very steep) downhill to the Torrente Novarza. Maybe it is better to go by foot since the road is very steep (10 min.).

Before the descent is mandatory to verify the water level in Novarza!

The enter is on the right side of the parking lot. First rappel is from the tree on the right side of the stream.

Descent

D 10m: rope on tree (R)

T 2.5m

C 6m or S: 1 bolt with ring (R)

C 5m: 1 bolt with ring (R)

C 18m: 1 bolt with ring (L)

C 34m: 2 bolts with ring (L)

C 7m: 1 bolt with ring (L)

D 3m

C 7m: 1 bolt with ring (R)

D 10m

C 6m: 1 bolt with ring (R)

C 18m: 2 bolts with ring (R)

Confluence with Novarza

150m D+W with shouts up to 4m

MC 4m: 1 bolt with ring + fixed ropes (L)

C 16m: 2 bolts with ring (L)

C 6m: 1 bolt with ring (R)

MC 4m: 2 bolts with ring + fixed ropes (R)

C 10m: 1 bolt with ring (R)

MC 5m: 2 bolts with ring + fixed ropes (L)

C 8m: 2 bolts with ring (L)

Artificial lake

Swim 120m from L side of the lake to the R side of the dam and climb out.!!! C 12m: from the metal fence (R)

C 4m: 1 bolt with maillon (R)

C 13m: 2 bolts with maillons (L)

C 12m: 1 bolt with ring (R) or D on L

C 8m: 1 bolt with maillon on the boulder

Start of Novarza Inferiore (about 18 rappels and 2,5 h for decent – the highest cascata is 20 m)

C = cascade D = down climb D+W = down climbing and walking S = shout (jump) T = slide L = left R = right MC= hand line (traverse)

Exit

Where the canyon opens out, before the last waterfall in Novarza Inferiore turn right (stone man) in to the obvious gully. Climb up on barely visible path to the wooden ridge (50 m), turn left and descent to the little bridge over Torrente Lumiei. Cross it and continue uphill on a good path to the road and parking lot (25 min.)

Trip reports and media

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Background

First descent by Canyoning Cult on 11 th of November 2015. First repetition: Canyoning Cult and CanyonEast on 9 th of December 2015