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Backpacker Magazine – August 2010
New Life List: Climb a Via Ferrata
Get a taste of the vertical alpine world--no experience required.
Touch the sky on Europe's Via Ferratas. (Patitucci Photo)
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Tags:
- Adventures |
- Destinations |
- Adventure guides |
- Climbing |
Key Skill: Get Comfortable with Extreme Exposure
» Take 10 deep breaths from the belly. This stimulates the vagus nerve, in the diaphragm, which dampens the flood of adrenaline and lowers your heart rate. Focus your vision on just one spot, like a handhold or a flower growing from the rock, until your breathing slows.
» Check your equipment to reassure yourself that you’re protected, and repeat a mantra to yourself, like “I am safe and in control.”
» Make a plan. Look for all possible hand- and footholds, decide which order to use them in, and then focus simply on executing that sequence while also remembering to breathe.
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READERS COMMENTS
Dear readers, if you plan to take a trip in the Dolomites and would like to walk the Dolomites Alta Via #1 or do some via Ferratas, our travel company (holimites.com) provides all what you need. You ca download the programs for the next summer 2011 from the following link: http://t.co/iQ2OSU3
Dear Anonymous,
You have no idea what you're talking about.
I take issue with saying the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks Preserve needs to be "avoided like the plague." It is there as what it is: "A Via Ferrata" - a fixed climbing route with a built in safety system so that people WITHOUT technical rockclimbing skills can still enjoy the beautiful scenery and physicality of the rocks and the heights and the awesomeness of nature. I liken the comment/ridicule of the Via not being open to technical top-roping climbers (since it was bought) to an olympic equestrian athlete complaining that they can't go galloping through the private property of a guided trail ride business for people who may never have ridden horses before. If you want to experience the Via, then go experience the Via. If you want to climb independently, then go find the appropriate public place to do so. Or go purchase your own rockclimbing haven and open it to the public.
Don't you love Anonymous posts? Nelson Rocks was owned by an attorney and family (the best release of liability waiver EVER!). A tremendous amount of effort putting in a stainless steel via ferrata was done by the family and friends, second to none! The rock there was very tenuous and a very serious accident occured on the rock climbs. The family decided that the risk of further accidents on the friable rock was not worth it, from an emotional stand point. That's why they closed it and that's why they sold it.
Ya Nelson has via Farreta but needs to be avoided like the plague! The family that owned it was supposed to all climber minded then they SOLD OUT to some major corporation and they closed it to the public. Given Senaca is 30 min away it's not to bad but when it was to busy Nelson was a good back up so if your a climber boycot Nelson.
You can do a via ferrata right here in the US at Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata in West Virginia.
http://www.nelsonrocks.org/
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