CAI academic Renato Gobbato was a formidable mountaineer, particularly active in the 1960s and 1970s, regarded by those who knew him as a legend and a pioneer of the so-called "plains mountaineers." A determined and resolute individual with strong leadership qualities, "Bagnin"—as he was nicknamed by Venetian climbers due to his habit of wearing a white head covering—formed strong bonds with some of the greatest climbers of his time, including Claude Barbier, Piergiorgio Franzina, Lorenzo Massarotto, Renzo Timillero, Renato Casarotto, Gianni Gianeselli, and many others. 

However, his premature passing in 1980 and the passage of time have denied him the rightful place he deserves in history. Drawing from the few handwritten notes in his mountaineering diary and a collection of photographic documentation gathered through extensive research, this work aims to unveil the figure of "Bagnin" through the voices of those who knew him. 

Beyond its biographical significance, the documentary presented here offers a glimpse into a distant era, its echoes surfacing like whales from the depths of a time when mountain excursions were marked by choral songs and the sirens of a factory. A precious testimony that deserves to be preserved with care, like the memory of someone who, without seeking the spotlight, managed to leave a lasting mark on the lives of others. 

Directed by: Emanuele Confortin 

Produced by: CAI Sezione di Castelfranco Veneto - Emanuele Confortin 

Running time: 58 minutes 

Year: 2025