80 Years of the Ragni di Lecco
There is something that connects the limestone of the Grigne mountains near Lecco to the greatest rock and ice walls in the world. A thread, as red as an embroidered wool sweater, stretching back eighty years. In just a few days, the Ragni di Lecco will celebrate their 80th anniversary. And SCARPA will be by their side to celebrate one of the most remarkable stories in the history of mountaineering.
In the early days, their first climbing adventures on the mountains close to home were not yet associated with the official name "Ragni della Grignetta", but with the more playful Compagnia Sempre al Verde. Even their emblem has an amusing story behind it: the embroidered spider has only seven legs instead of eight, because it was believed to bring good luck.
It was with that same simple, friendly spirit that the local festival celebrating the group's 80th anniversary was born. Initially planned as a small gathering of friends, the enthusiasm of mountaineers from around the world has turned it into a much bigger event than expected.
So, if you're planning to attend, see you in Lecco from October 16 to 18!
Along with our warmest wishes, we also want to celebrate this anniversary by sharing stories, memories and emotions from the people who have inspired, and will continue to inspire, generations of mountaineers.
Carlo Aldé, Ragni member since 1983
Carlo remembers meeting Riccardo Cassin and Dino Piazza when he was just twelve years old, followed by expeditions to Patagonia and Nepal, where he learned from some of the group's greatest mountaineers. These experiences inspired him to pass on what he had learned to younger generations.
"I've been on the group's committee for about forty years now, and I think I've attended more meetings, committee sessions and evening events than I've completed challenging climbs! But that's also the beauty of belonging to a group: it's not just the summits and walls that leave a lasting impression, but above all the people, the shared experiences and the desire to pass on what you've received."
Simone Pedeferri, Ragni di Lecco member since 2001
At first, Simone had no intention of joining the Ragni. He was an individualistic climber, focused entirely on his own ascents. Everything changed in 2001, when some friends who were already members invited him on an expedition to Pakistan.
"A few months later, I became a Ragno too: the time was right. They had helped me understand that the Ragni were a group of friends who shared my passion for climbing the most beautiful mountains in the world. Their strength lay in the group, not in the individualistic climber. I had finally understood the value of that."
Serafino Ripamonti, Ragni member since 2002
Serafino recalls the bond between generations through a memory of a group dinner in 2003 or 2004. Young Adriano Selva was talking about his recent climbs with Claudio Corti, known as "Marna", a figure in mountaineering history who had been caught up in the 1957 Eiger tragedy.
"Marna listened attentively and asked questions with genuine curiosity. He and Adri spoke the same language, despite the years and the worlds that separated them. Their passion was identical, a fire that may grow dimmer but never goes out."
Matteo Della Bordella, Ragni member since 2006
In 2010, Matteo travelled to Patagonia with Matteo Bernasconi, known as Berna, to tackle the west face of Torre Egger. What followed were three years of attempts, challenging conditions, storms and constant support from the other Ragni.
"After three years of attempts, Torre Egger finally let us through. But what stays with me from those three years isn't so much the numbers or the pitches we climbed, but the days spent with Berna and Luca Schiera, and all the incredible support we always received from the other members of the group."
Giacomo Mauri, Ragni member since 2021
Just a few months after joining the group, Giacomo found himself climbing the north face of the Matterhorn with David Bacci. On that occasion, the red sweater became a symbol of strength and belonging.
"I wear the Ragni sweater to give myself strength, and somehow it makes me feel protected. It's one of my favourite memories, because that was really when I first stepped into the world of mountaineering."
Valentina Arnoldi, Ragni member since 2024
Since childhood, Valentina had dreamed of becoming a Ragni member, fascinated by stories of great climbs and expeditions. She joined as a competitive athlete rather than a mountaineer or rock climber, and immediately found acceptance, support and trust, despite following a different path from the other members.
"And that's exactly one of the things I love most about the Ragni: sharing a passion, supporting one another, having the courage to follow your dreams and, above all, inspiring those who come after us to dream even bigger."
Matteo de Zaiacomo, Ragni member since 2014, President
Having joined the group at a very young age, Matteo recalls the pride of wearing the red sweater and his desire to give back to future generations what he himself has received.
"The group has allowed me to go places I would never have reached on my own. After so many journeys and experiences, I now want to give back this gift that life has given me. I have gladly and proudly taken on the responsibility of helping others make the most of their mountaineering, travel and know that someone will be there whenever they need help."
Over the past eighty years, the way we experience the mountains, the equipment we use and the world around us have all changed. But the passion that drives us remains the same.
From the entire SCARPA family, happy 80th anniversary to the Ragni di Lecco! May you never need that eighth leg, and may the red sweater continue to chase vertical dreams around the world. Enjoy the celebrations!
