SIMONE FAGNONI

My name is Simone Fagnoni. I was born and raised among concrete and asphalt, in the outskirts of Milan, in the Niguarda district, where I lived until 2004. Luckily, my grandparents had a holiday home in the province of Lecco, between the legendary Grigna and Monte Resegone. I used to spend weekends or entire summers there with my grandparents, Attilio and Mariuccia.

My grandfather, originally from Bergamo, was a soldier in the Julia Alpine Division — one of the few lucky ones who returned alive from Russia, thanks to his strong fighting spirit and survival instinct. He taught me a lot without saying much. Every morning, he would wake me up early to take me into the mountains, and we would always return by 12:00 sharp, because my grandmother Mariuccia served lunch on time — like clockwork. I’m truly thankful that back in the '80s, there were no mobile phones or digital distractions for kids. From that time on, the mountains — and all the sports on snow, ice, and earth — have always been part of my life.

The real turning point came in 2006 when I met my wife Jessica, who lived in the hills of Modena — it was love at first sight. Together, we bought a house in 2009 in the Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park (MO), where we moved permanently in 2010. From then on, my life felt like it had been reset. I reconnected with nature, just like I used to with my grandparents. I learned how to work the land, grow vegetables in my garden, care for trees and plants, and observe wild animals up close in my own field — animals I had only seen in books or on TV until then.

For many, 2020 was a year to forget — with Covid-19, lockdowns, the loss of many lives, and widespread depression. But for me, it was the year of my second rebirth… a beautiful year. After facing serious health issues at the end of 2019, I realized how short life can be. I decided to stop wasting time and start living fully, without regrets, without looking back — following my passions, one by one.

The mountains, mountaineering, and sport climbing have taught me never to give up. And here I am! I became a certified Environmental Hiking Guide (Guida Ambientale Escursionistica) authorized by the Emilia-Romagna Region, and I can’t wait to share my love for the nature that surrounds us.

Website: https://leescursionidelfagno.com/