Monte Terminillo: the Canalino Primo Maggio

I'm not in sparkling physical shape; even though I've started running again my body is still rather heavy. I manage to find the strength to get out of bed and throw myself into this new experience.

The destination, this time too, is the Terminillo. On the programme is the ascent of the Chiaretti-Pietrostefani for one group and of the Canalino del Primo Maggio for another.

My curiosity to try out as many routes as possible pushes me, this time, to go up by the second route. I had seen the Canalino del Primo Maggio only from above and it had intrigued me. I had promised myself to come back some time. But luck smiles on me and grants me a small wish.

But that isn't the real luck. Massimo Marcheggiani  chooses me to form a rope team with Massimo Perilli: this time we'll be his pupils. Massimo goes ahead of us, teaching us the rope manoeuvres. It's a world that opens up before my eyes. His explanations are clear and linear, with no chance of misunderstanding.

I set myself to soak it all up like a sponge; it's  an honour for me to learn from a master who has made a good part of the history of mountaineering in the Apennines.

We leave the cars at Rifugio Sebastiani, as usual planning to do the loop coming down via the locality of Rialto. Although the south-facing slopes are already bare of snow, the rest of the massif is still well covered. We walk quickly up to the pass that looks out over the Vallonina. We stop and a first group throws itself into the work on the Chiaretti-Pietrostefani. Three other rope teams carry on towards the start of the Canalino del Primo Maggio.

Ahead of us is the group from the Associazione Alta Quota; I already know they'll carry on up the valley to the summit of the Terminillo. It's nice to meet old friends with whom you've shared other good moments.
At the start of the route we quickly set up the belay stand. Under Marcheggiani's supervision I rig the first belay and let Perilli go ahead. When they reach the belay I let everything go, the rope is taken in, I dismantle the belay and set off.
When I reach the belay Perilli puts me on belay and I go up as leader. Marcheggiani checks our every single move, every knot, every karabiner.

I learn to arrange the gear neatly on my harness, even though most of the time I make an amateur's mess of it. I begin to understand the logic I'll need to manage the whole climb. Method, organisation and order in keeping the gear.

The climb is quick but never really tiring. I've put on the plastic-shell boots and my feet, although cold, aren't frozen like the previous time. The boot with crampons on gives a security that lets me stand perfectly upright on the slope. I manage to put my weight directly on the front points of the crampon. When I'm climbing long pitches of ice I go fast and precise. The snow is excellent.

Massimo is everywhere: he manages to keep an eye on my rope team and on the other two rope teams nearby. He's extraordinary, he has an instinct and an ease found only in those who love the mountains deep down.
I interviewed him just a few days ago (Interview with Massimo Marcheggiani) and I discovered in him a deep personality, someone who through sacrifice found his "truth" in contact with the rock. He feels deeply serene about this choice, which gratifies him in his innermost depths.

The last pitch is shared with the Chiaretti-Pietrostefani route; I remember doing it as second on the rope with Massimo Natalini, and it was in terrifying conditions of thin ice and rock.
I'm lucky enough to be able to lead it. Massimo moves beside me checking the precision of my movements. He tells me to move without hurrying, urging me to be more precise.

I reach the belay in a state of pure grace. Body in great shape, spirits sky-high... I've lived the day in complete serenity and without worries of any kind, able to enjoy the sporting and technical performance of the climb. It rarely happens that you feel this good. This, for me, is happiness.

The three rope teams coming up the Canalino Primo Maggio reach the summit of the Terminillo almost all together. There's a big dog on the summit waiting for us (an opportunist): I give him one of my two sandwiches.
We drink and rest while  waiting for the rope teams coming up the Chiaretti-Pietrostefani. It's cold on the summit of the Terminillo. We decide to carry on. We phone the other rope teams and arrange to meet at the hut for a beer.

We go down by the Valle del Sole; the snow is sodden and we sink in up to our knees. Every now and then we playfully treat ourselves to a slide on our backsides... the sky is blue, sprinkled with a few solitary clouds. Despite the bad forecast we've been blessed with a climatically perfect day.

At the hut the beer will turn into a convivial feast of chops, sausages and wine, all seasoned with serene friendship. You can feel that the group wants to be together. The table that at first had only a few people grows bigger and bigger; chairs, glasses and chops are added.  We've invaded the hut (poor Maurizio Sola thought he'd closed the kitchen but... ) but it's a lovely moment... and as Marcheggiani says, in this group you really do breathe good air.

Another  great day of mountaineering with the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) of Frascati.