Moreno Pesce and his extreme mountain challenges, between bravery and madness
Moreno Pesce is 41 years old, he was born in Noale and currently lives in Auronzo di Cadore, in the Belluno province. Moreno Pesce is an athlete, a passionate sportsman, and his story tells a lot about the inner strength people can find within themselves when they are least expecting it, about tenacity and the beauty of life.
In 1997 Moreno was riding back from the mountains on his motorbike when he was involved in a serious accident, which resulted in his left leg being amputated. Thanks to a carbon fibre artificial limb, he has later become a celebrity in the world of trail and vertical race, two disciplines involving being close to nature, as well as not being afraid of hard work and unforeseen problems.
In 2016 and 2017 he took part to the Vertical Up circuit, where physical challenges are aggravated by the presence of snow. Last year he even took part to the world’s third most difficult vertical, Fully in Switzerland (which stretches for 1900m, with a 1000m height difference). Incredible challenges exemplifying rare and precious strength and passion, something that has deeply impressed me.
“Everybody can do it, in their own way. I hope that in the future in these challenges there will be more room for disabled people who want to be part of this experience, push their limits to achieve their own goals. When I wasn’t yet disabled, I could not have imagined what I’m experiencing now. I was afraid of mountain climbing, it fascinated me yet I never dared to try it out. A wise and patient Lio De Nes (his mountain guide) took my hand and led me towards this new objective. I’m not saying it was easy to trust a rope when you have a 70m precipice right below you, yet this challenge materialised with a liberating cry at the top of Mount Paterno, after several cognitive tests within this new-found world. I will keep on securing ropes to snap hooks. Ropes that will make you feel safe only if there’s a stretched hand waiting for you at the end” Moreno explained in an interview for Italian newspaper Gazzetta. “Try it. Rediscover your hiking skills, be a dreamer once again according to your own ideals. Time does not matter at all. You don’t need to run, all you need to do in order to feel good is walking“. What a remarkable lesson.
I read that Moreno has always had a passion for mountains: rocks, woods, soil, sounds, magic. I believe that a love for mountains can give strength to an already determined and passionate person, someone who had to redesign his own life while discovering in the process its endless resources, who can today talk about challenges, happiness, adrenaline, but also the right amount of madness needed to face life with bravery and courage.
