From the encounter between the Maglioni Rossi and the extraordinary group of local climbers Bobo's Extreme Team, the project “L'Isola Verticale” was born: a series of four short films directed by Michele Caminati that recounts this fascinating and unusual journey to Sicily, a meeting place for two communities of climbers driven by the same passion.
When passion finds common ground, great projects are born: "La Pietra del Sud" has led the Ragni di Lecco to discover and develop new climbing opportunities in southern Italy: the trip to Sicily, completed in September 2022, is just the latest chapter in this quest, which is not only about rock but also, and above all, about new encounters with climbers and bolters from all over Italy.
The friendship between the Ragni di Lecco and the Bobo's Extreme Team dates back many years, thanks to the initial acquaintance between Simone Pedeferri and Sicilian climber Jonathan Bonaventura . Riding on this energetic and positive relationship, last February a large group of Ragni set off from Lombardy armed with drills, ropes, and hundreds of bolts…destination Sicily!
Simone Pedeferri and Marco Zanchetta are the first to disembark after a 24-hour ferry ride: their destination is Palermo, where they reach, together with Jonathan, the nearby and splendid Mondello, destined to be the "base camp" for the next month.
The landscape is new and full of possibilities, and after a couple of days with his eyes fixed on the walls (and his nose glued to the windows of the best delicatessens), Simone's expert gaze is drawn to two caves overlooking the sea at the entrance to Monte Gallo: climbers will be able to explore the stunning limestone rock while waiting for the arrival of their other adventure companions.
After a few days, here they are: Maurizio Tasca and Matteo Motta , with their friends Max Piazza , and Lorenzo "Pala" Lanfranchi land just in time to transform a limestone wall over 40 metres high on the west face of Monte Pellegrino into a stunning cliff.
Meanwhile, Marco Zanchetta and Giacomo Regallo are opening a long ground-up route called "Il Ragno e la Principessa" in anticipation of the arrival of Giacomo's daughter.
Simone Pedeferri has no doubts: "The best thing about this experience? The real chemistry that's been created between the two groups: sharing ideas, projects, and visions, then being able to implement them in just a few days, and then meeting up in the evening to celebrate together... it's a priceless experience, and that's exactly what we were looking for."
A sharing of ideas that, thanks to passion and friendship, become reality: " L'isola verticale" wanted to immortalize this very spirit in a series of four short films that tell the story of the encounter between two Italian communities so geographically distant from each other, yet so close in their passion for climbing.
Moreover, as Luca Schiera, president of the Ragni, points out, "the Ragni di Lecco's mission has always been to promote climbing culture in all its aspects, not only by approaching the world's most difficult walls, but also by contributing to the development of new areas to make available to all enthusiasts, and above all by forging new friendships with those who share our passion."
This is precisely the most precious and fascinating aspect of the experience in Sicily, and what “L'isola Verticale” has tried to convey through extraordinary images and stories.
At the end of this true journey through vertical Sicily, all 600 bolts the Ragni brought with them remained on the Sicilian walls: a well-deserved gift to an island that was able to showcase its most beautiful rock and unforgettable sunsets, offering evenings spent in the company of exquisite cannoli, good wine, and excellent friends.
The four episodes of “L'isola verticale” will be available on the Rock Experience YouTube channel on a weekly basis every Thursday starting June 8, 2023. Don't miss them!
A brief preview:
- Episode 1 - SWISS . Simone Pedeferri and Jonathan Bonaventura tell the story of the friendship between Bobo's Team and the Ragni di Lecco, which began about ten years ago and has been further strengthened by a new project: to explore and bolt new routes together in the Palermo area, a region rich in potential and surprising rock faces.
- Episode 2 - ARACNO . Giacomo Mauri and the other climbers from the Ragni di Lecco team try their hand at the surprising Aracnos crag; while the Bobo's team recounts the birth and development of the Palermo and Sicilian climbing community.
- Episode 3 - RAMAGE . An all-female adventure for climbers Maddalena and Anna to discover the "Ramage" route on Monte Pellegrino (Palermo).
- Episode 4 - ATLANTIS . In the words of the Bobo's Team climbers, the great climbing potential of the rock around Palermo: the Capo Gallo area, the Atlantide crag project, and the thrill of climbing overlooking the sea and just a stone's throw from the city.
Enjoy!
