Starts today a new La Venta expedition in the desert of Baja California - Mexico. Geographical context - The peninsula of Baja California, one of the 31 states of the Mexican federation, has an area of about 70,000 km2 with a length of 1200 km, a population of just over 3,000,000 inhabitants and a density of 45 persons per km2, mostly concentrated in the five major cities of the state. It is bordered to the north by the states of California and Arizona (USA), on the east by the state of Sonora, and south by the state of Baja California Sur; west is wet by the Pacific Ocean.

For several years our mexican friend and partner Carlos Lazcano Sahagun, geologist and director of the Museo de Historia of the city of Ensenada, is conducting historical and anthropological research referred to the original peoples of Baja California. His excursions along the peninsula have led in recent years to many discoveries of ancient sites, caves with rock paintings and large areas with petroglyphs, along with revisitations of old Jesuit missions scattered in the territory. The focus is especially in the Valle de Los Cirios protected area of about 25,000 km2, located in the southern part of the state, in which Carlos is one of the staunchest promoters for the recognition of the site as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We leave in three: Martino Frova, Luca Massa and myself, and will work alongside Carlos in twenty days, all on horseback, in this fascinating adventure. We will reach the Mission Santa Borja heading towards the Santa Gertrudis (120km), retracing ancient roads and exploring new areas in search of sites with rock paintings, remains of ancient settlements and missions who evangelized in the eighteenth century these lands. While crossing the desert we will realize topographic maps, locate sites with GPS points, and we will film and make a photographic documentation. To the research will also join some local ranchers, curious and eager to discover the origins and places frequented by their ancestors. A unique adventure, both for the historical aspect and for the anthropological, with a bit of folklore traditions, since we will live days in western style, through uncharted territory on horseback and camping out under the stars in front of the fire. The program provides for the first seven days crossing a vast area in which insisted an ancient road that connected the Jesuit missions with the "rancherie" and villages in the desert. Of this way we have lost tracks and memory, as the locals hardly recalls it's existence; that's why the numerous requests of local participation in the project. The everything then to arrive in the middle of our journey, in the mission of Santa Gertrudis, where since 1751 every year there is a festival that brings together all the inhabitants of the area spread over hundreds of square kilometers of desert; excellent opportunity to document traditions and customs of the inhabitants of this inhospitable land. The remaining days are dedicated to the search for new sites and caves with paintings along the valleys and remote canyons of the surrounding areas. As much as possible, as we will be in desolate and remote areas, we will try to send news and updates from the expedition location. Francesco (Ciccio) Lo Mastro
Support our adventure: Intermatica (Satellite phones), Ferrino (Clothing and outdoor equipment), Dolomite (Mountain footwear), Amphibious (Dry bags), Scurion (Led lighting systems), Tiberino (Dried foods ready to be cooked).