Ribeira Funda (Inferior)

The canyon typically starts dry and picks up water after R1/before the big drop; more water enters after the bridge. Flow is frank in winter (January and December), and can be stronger than usual in January and May. It is low in summer (July and August), when the jump pool below the Terra d'Alem tributary can be too shallow and dead animals may lie in the water: in such conditions it is better to wait for rain. Good flow is typical from November to January, December being the perfect time. On 5 March 2024 the flow was exceptionally high and required a guided rappel on the last drop. Jump pools can be shallow in September and the second jump needs precision.

Over the years the equipment has been progressively upgraded: R8 had a single hanger (2015) and the anchors are on the left rather than on the right as shown on the topo; R3/R6 hangers needed tightening and the R6 rope replacing (2017); the R5 rope was worn (2018); R10 was corroded by sea spray (2019). R6 and R7 were re-equipped in January 2021. In August 2021 four glue-in titanium bolts were added at the last waterfall (two handrail, two rappel, placed higher), then in March 2024 two more chemical titanium anchors on the last waterfall where the old bolts had been, plus two under the bridge to avoid rope rub. A new anchor at R7 (second jump) on the left bank allows rappelling in the flow (February 2025). The rings at the access to the C55 are easy to miss: they are set far back on a vertical rock face on the orographic right, the ground-level bolts being old. On 15 January 2026 the canyon underwent a major re-equipment with chemical anchors: R1 (handrail E5 m, rappel E+12 m), R2 C55 handrail replaced by two chemical anchors, R3 modified (single mechanical point to be doubled), R4 (handrail and rappel, right), R5 new single mechanical point as alternative to the jump, R6 new chain with chemical anchor 15 m high on the left (old mechanical bolts removed and reused at R9), R10 handrail and 25 m rappel on chemical anchors with the existing guided-rappel option. This re-equipment is not an invitation to descend in high flow.

Rockfall is the dominant danger: stones fall at the base of the big waterfalls, especially on hot sunny days, and at R1. In September 2022 inert material was being extracted from the riverbed for private works, with a steel cable rigged between R1 and R2 and much material dumped into the canyon. Heavy rains repeatedly reshape the bed (May 2017, January 2021, which also flushed the trapped trees and cleaned the rock). Further small landslides occurred by February 2025, but the pools were clear of trees and rocks. Fallen trees have blocked R3, rubbish has accumulated in the middle section, and animal carcasses have been found near the bridge.

The old ER 101 road has been blocked by landslides repeatedly (closed November 2022, cleared January 2021, blocked again by 2025): access now requires either the official parking on foot or the emergency exit of the new VE2 tunnel (June 2025). There was heavy rockfall at the steep tunnel entrance in January 2024: park and change elsewhere. The return path was cleaned in 2025 and is less dangerous.