Upper Fium Orbo

The early bit of the Upper Fium Orbo - wide open scenery unlike many of the typical Corsican gorge rivers. This photo is the only one I have of Fred Wondre swimming, ironically on a simple grade 2-3 boulder garden.

Further down the Upper Fium Orbo.

The view from up near the footbridge down into the cauldron. This shows where the river leaves the cauldron. The channel here is reputedly sumped, and it is normal to portage by clambering up out of the cauldron from near the trees on river left.

Upper Fium Orbo, The Rocket.

Another view of the Rocket showing a possible safety method. The stopper can be quite sticky.

The final stretch of the Upper Fium Orbo, between the Rocket and the start of the Defile des Strette. The river has left the open upland scenery of the early section and is dropping into the gorge of the Defile.

Gravona

The early Upper Gravona, lots of strainers and trees

Later in the Upper Gravona.

Prunelli

The Upper Prunelli above the D 103 road bridge - best avoided unless you like a challenge.

The Lower Prunelli - Corsican rivers close to civilisation are often regarded as convenient dumping grounds.

The Lower Prunelli.

The Lower Prunelli.

These images from 1988 do not do justice to the Prunelli. I have memories of paddling the river in later years in glorious sunshine and enjoying a good day out on fairly continuous easy grade 3-4, with a couple of bigger falls to raise the adrenaline. Sadly I have no photos.

Rizzanese

Upper Rizzanese - the first of the early likely portages.

Upper Rizzanese - the early section. Whilst the Travo seems have a characteristic pattern of boulder gardens within a narrow V shaped gorge, the Rizzanese's falls are created by water flowing over sloping ledges in the bedrock.

Upper Rizzanese - the second probable portage.

Upper Rizzanese - Chris Sladden on a sloping 6 metre fall which shows you are getting close to the big drop.

Upper Rizzanese - the big drop. Take it on the extreme right, to avoid rocks in the centre and river left in the plunge pool.

Same view - wider frame. The portage path bypassing the fall goes along the river left bank at a high level, and then clambers down to river level immediately above where the boats are tied up.

Travo

Typical Upper Travo falls, most of the river difficulties come from boulder gardens like this, running at grade 5-6 in the early part of the river, and a grade harder after the Triple Drop.

The gradient is relentless, and quite scary if you are not used to it.

Upper Travo - same fall different angle.

The first two fall of the famous Upper Travo triple drop. These are the bigest falls, but also the simplest falls, on this section of river.

The Upper Travo waterfalls- looking down on the second fall from the top of the first.

Fred Wondre on the final (fourth) fall.

A pinning fall on the Upper Travo, and the site of various fatailities over the years. Portage is possible on the left bank, with a seal launch into the river below the fall.

More Upper Travo boulder garden. The gradient only lets up near the end when the road becomes in sight on the right bank.

Typical Lower Travo falls, wide, open, grade 3-4.

Lower Travo.