Manuel Chiacchiararelli

WANDERING ITALIA Project
solo crossing the Alps & the Appennini
Spring/Summer 2018

“Wandering on this boundless land,
with the smile for my many yesterdays
which will reflect themselves in the serenity
of tomorrow’s sunrise”

The unique WANDERING ITALIA Project  combines the elements of adventure, photography, nature, culture, history and mountaineering: the aim of my expedition is to solo hike the Appennini and the entire Alpine Arc, reaching the most important mountains, parks and nature reserves of Italy and following the famous Grand Italian Trail (Sentiero Italia).

Crossing half of Italy has been my dream for more then two decades and now I feel ready and free to make it come true! I’m not doing it to beat any record but to discover, enjoy and let others enjoy the beauty of my country, advertising the passion for trekking, nature and outdoor experiences.

I will be capturing and reporting everything by my photo-equipment, audio & video recordings and my articles.

MY ROUTE
It begins in the Apennine mountain chain, at its highest pick Gran Sasso d’Italia, then crosses the entire Alpine Arc and finishes in Trieste. It covers the most difficult half of Grand Italian Trail, which entirely has been hiked only by one person – Lorenzo Franco Santin – who needed two attempts to complete it in 2017.

Total distance: over 3 500 km, about 180 000 m difference in level
Timeframes: May – Aug/Sep 2018 (about 120 days)
Start: Settefrati (FR) – Finish: Lazzaretto (TS)

The stages:
– Gran Sasso d’Italia – the highest mountain of central Italy
– Amatrice, Castelluccio and the zone of the terrible 2016 earthquake
– River Tiber’s springs
– Apennine between Tuscany and Romagna crossing the Italian National Park of Foreste Casentinesi
– Alpi Liguri Natural Regional Park
– Monte Viso and River Po’s springs
– Gran Paradiso National Park
– Detour from the Grand Italian Trail to reach Courmayeur and Aosta Valley
– Alta Via n1 Aosta Valley reaching Mont Blanc, Matterhorn and Monte Rosa
– Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero Natural Park
– Como Lake and Monti Lariani Trail 1 and 2
– The Bernina Range
– Stelvio National Park
– Detour to cross Adamello-Presanella Alps and Brenta Dolomites
– Detour to walk the TRANSLAGORAI (a 50 km path and 4 500 m difference level in a very wild region with the presence of bear, lynx and wolves)
– Re-catch of the Grand Italian Trail by Arabba (Dolomites) or:
– Possible detour to Fassa Valley and it’s Unesco World Heritage Peaks (depending of the time available)
– Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park and Tre Cime Natural reserve
– Carnics Alps and the sites of the first World War
– Finishing line at Trieste

One of the most important features of my challenging Project requires me to carry heavy loads through rugged terrain for thousands of kilometers – only my photographic equipment will weight around 10 kg as sharing with others will be an important part of my expedition.
Furthermore I will carry with me my tent, the sleeping bag and all the necessaries to be able to camp outside: I will try to use as less as possible any accomodations, only when needed to wash myself and recharge part of my equipment.
I’ve already decided to postpone about 15 days the starting date (right now fixed on the 14th of May) hoping that Spring will melt some of the heavy snow – still at today situation over the Alps – before I will reach the high altitudes (even more than 3000 m a.s.l.) of the alpines peaks.
A lot will depend from the weather which will be influencing also my schedule: I’ve been going through the route for already 3 times and I hope to finish the journey in about 110-120 days, anyway before the cold will take over the Alps again.
A lot will depends from me, mostly, from my condition physically (i.e I hope the two plates in my right leg will not be a big trouble) and mentally to face the difficulties, the loneliness and all the unexpected I will probably encounter during my journey.
I’ve been taking my precautions to be easily traceable and to call for help in case of danger.
There are still many question marks due the fact of facing more than 3500 km of completely unknown, starting from the path, the conditions, and also the danger of the wildlife such bears, wolves and boars I might (and I hope I will!) encounter during my hike.

Getting closer to the starting line I feel the stress growing, as the adrenalin, and why not, even the fear: it would be stupid of me not to be scared at this point…
But the excitement is growing too, realizing I’m going to do something exceptional, facing Mother Nature and her beauties (and dangers), and having the chance to know myself better… and it’s not a small thing!

The Facebook page inerro.land will be my main channel to update you over my progress in the route, sharing images, videos and my feelings.

I hope you will follow me: I will need your support too!