Thanks Liba for posting this. I'll confess to having never even heard the term Via Ferrata until reading your article, but hey I'm just a hiker! All of the historical information was rather fascinating and made for a very enjoyable read.
Hi, Liba. This is one of the more interesting reports I've seen, I like the historical references. I am sort of fond of cold iron on a mountain face. Brings back memories of eastern Europe. And I agree with you...just because it's via ferratta doesn't mean it's easy. One question: where does this route go?
Thanks. It goes just along the cliff - amazing views everywhere. Telluride Mountain Club suggest to return the same way b/c there is a private property if you decide to descent down to Telluride.
Just when i thought i'd experienced all the wonders of Telluride, you've introduced a new one. Amazing place continues to get more amazing.
Angel's Landing in Zion and MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mt, NC might also qualify as having via ferrata although hardly at the difficulty as you've documented at Telluride.
I think that local people want to keep it secret, and the descent trail (if you decide to walk towards Telluride) does cross private property, so it may get closed.
San Juaneer - Oct 15, 2011 10:39 pm - Hasn't voted
the Krogerrata
I've been enjoying the Ferrata in Telluride for three years now. I would warn that the winter traverse is extremely dangerous as it traverses the runout of several major slides from Ajax Peak. I've been waiting for proper conditions myself and only comfortably pushed it through Thanksgiving to date... No proper Winter as of yet. It could be done, but proper conditions evaluation and assessment is a must. Three years of waiting so far and no go! Maybe this year, we'll see! My favorite route is not as described, but to traverse from West to East, either the entire mile and a half, or an out and back past the "main event" and return... This route ascends Marshall creek and offers you roughly 1,000' vertical feet as a warm up, then increasing exposure along several incrementally challenging cabled sections before reaching the "main event". The East end is rather bourgeois and does not make for an adequate predicate to the full experience, in my opinion. I had the good fortune to lead a large family across this summer with the probable youngest ascender short roped to my hip (8 years old, 1 month shy of 9) quite an experience! He freaked at the "main event" but was able to stabilize, turn his emotion off and complete! Awesome to witness!!! 9 of us that day, quite a large party. Ascenders must realize that they are putting Pipeline climbers in jeapordy and be extremely careful not to kick loose rocks off at the East end of the Ferrata. Consider the safety of others as well as yourselves. Rock on!
San Juaneer - Oct 17, 2011 12:33 am - Hasn't voted
Re:the Krogerrata
JJ, thanks for your applause on the one end, Winter on the Krogerrata would be extremely dangerous, and on the other... I really didn't notice any blatant mistakes or misinformation in Liba's write-up.
some of us use no protection???? so what your really saying is that the gear is optional on this 4th class route? and had we just soloed it, well then mabee you would give the page a big thumbs up?
A super-fun, little-or-no-rock-climbing experience necessary via ferrata exists just south of Seneca Rocks in West Virginia called the Nelson Rocks Nature Preserve. It has real exposure, spotters, a fun cable bridge, and spectacular views. Here's its SP page:
Looks like a good one, via ferrata's can be great fun. However I think the potential dangers of a homemade set should be noted, as it is possible to reach falls up to factor 5 on via ferrata
http://www.mammut.ch/en/viaferrata_faq_why.html
Not that you need to rush out and buy a set, but it is important to be aware of and maybe include a screamer or two in your homemade set-up.
Also on shock loading slings,
http://dmmclimbing.com/knowledge/how-to-break-nylon-dyneema-slings/
I'm taking my son here in a few weeks and he wants to film the traverse. About how long did it take from start to finish so we know how much memory to pack in the gopro? THANKS!
Yes, this via ferrata line is almost entirely a traverse (horizontal), however, it needs to be stated clearly that using slings for your attachments is a very bad idea. Slings have no energy-absorbing stretch, and even a short fall can put huge load forces on the sling and (more worrisome) the carabiners, which can break. So, don't be cheap! Buy a via ferrata lanyard about $90 that includes the carabiners. It's an inexpensive insurance policy. And most importantly, all readers here should know that using slings and even short sections of climbing rope are NOT safe on more traditional, vertical via ferrata lines where falls of over 6 feet are possible. Be safe!
MarkDidier - Oct 10, 2011 5:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Great Article!Thanks Liba for posting this. I'll confess to having never even heard the term Via Ferrata until reading your article, but hey I'm just a hiker! All of the historical information was rather fascinating and made for a very enjoyable read.
Liba Kopeckova - Oct 11, 2011 12:00 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Great Article!Thanks Mark for visiting. Well, via ferratas are sort of unique to the Alps, and rather a rarity here.
Liba Kopeckova - Oct 11, 2011 10:41 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wow!Thank you for visiting and your comment. Yes, the route is pretty unique, and although I prefer "clean" climbing too, this was a nice change.
Pete Castricone - Oct 12, 2011 7:31 pm - Voted 10/10
InterestingHi, Liba. This is one of the more interesting reports I've seen, I like the historical references. I am sort of fond of cold iron on a mountain face. Brings back memories of eastern Europe. And I agree with you...just because it's via ferratta doesn't mean it's easy. One question: where does this route go?
Liba Kopeckova - Oct 13, 2011 11:12 am - Hasn't voted
Re: InterestingThanks. It goes just along the cliff - amazing views everywhere. Telluride Mountain Club suggest to return the same way b/c there is a private property if you decide to descent down to Telluride.
erial - Oct 12, 2011 8:27 pm - Hasn't voted
tellurideJust when i thought i'd experienced all the wonders of Telluride, you've introduced a new one. Amazing place continues to get more amazing.
Angel's Landing in Zion and MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mt, NC might also qualify as having via ferrata although hardly at the difficulty as you've documented at Telluride.
Liba Kopeckova - Oct 13, 2011 11:01 am - Hasn't voted
Re: tellurideI think that local people want to keep it secret, and the descent trail (if you decide to walk towards Telluride) does cross private property, so it may get closed.
JJ - Oct 13, 2011 2:05 am - Voted 1/10
Double Security SystemPlease explain the logic behind this system?
Liba Kopeckova - Oct 13, 2011 10:45 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Double Security SystemThe rope was for sections without cables.
San Juaneer - Oct 15, 2011 10:39 pm - Hasn't voted
the KrogerrataI've been enjoying the Ferrata in Telluride for three years now. I would warn that the winter traverse is extremely dangerous as it traverses the runout of several major slides from Ajax Peak. I've been waiting for proper conditions myself and only comfortably pushed it through Thanksgiving to date... No proper Winter as of yet. It could be done, but proper conditions evaluation and assessment is a must. Three years of waiting so far and no go! Maybe this year, we'll see! My favorite route is not as described, but to traverse from West to East, either the entire mile and a half, or an out and back past the "main event" and return... This route ascends Marshall creek and offers you roughly 1,000' vertical feet as a warm up, then increasing exposure along several incrementally challenging cabled sections before reaching the "main event". The East end is rather bourgeois and does not make for an adequate predicate to the full experience, in my opinion. I had the good fortune to lead a large family across this summer with the probable youngest ascender short roped to my hip (8 years old, 1 month shy of 9) quite an experience! He freaked at the "main event" but was able to stabilize, turn his emotion off and complete! Awesome to witness!!! 9 of us that day, quite a large party. Ascenders must realize that they are putting Pipeline climbers in jeapordy and be extremely careful not to kick loose rocks off at the East end of the Ferrata. Consider the safety of others as well as yourselves. Rock on!
San Juaneer - Oct 17, 2011 12:33 am - Hasn't voted
Re:the KrogerrataJJ, thanks for your applause on the one end, Winter on the Krogerrata would be extremely dangerous, and on the other... I really didn't notice any blatant mistakes or misinformation in Liba's write-up.
chamguide - Oct 16, 2011 4:40 am - Hasn't voted
yikeslooks pretty sketchy to me, wouldnt want to see someone fall on parts of that
TimB - Oct 17, 2011 8:51 pm - Voted 10/10
Enjoyable articleLiba,
nice article and pictures-I found it informative as well as interesting.
I Wasn't aware of the origins of "Via Ferrata" before I read this.
Liba Kopeckova - Oct 17, 2011 9:38 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Enjoyable articleThank you Tim. I really appreciate a positive comment.
TimB - Oct 18, 2011 11:55 am - Voted 10/10
Re: Bad InfoAgreed- with borutbk and rockclimber77 both.
Rockclimber77 - Oct 18, 2011 12:57 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Bad Infosome of us use no protection???? so what your really saying is that the gear is optional on this 4th class route? and had we just soloed it, well then mabee you would give the page a big thumbs up?
cswarr - Oct 18, 2011 10:00 am - Hasn't voted
nelson rocks, wvA super-fun, little-or-no-rock-climbing experience necessary via ferrata exists just south of Seneca Rocks in West Virginia called the Nelson Rocks Nature Preserve. It has real exposure, spotters, a fun cable bridge, and spectacular views. Here's its SP page:
http://www.summitpost.org/nelson-rocks-preserve/154465
dkiehn - Oct 20, 2011 5:30 pm - Hasn't voted
NiceLooks like a good one, via ferrata's can be great fun. However I think the potential dangers of a homemade set should be noted, as it is possible to reach falls up to factor 5 on via ferrata
http://www.mammut.ch/en/viaferrata_faq_why.html
Not that you need to rush out and buy a set, but it is important to be aware of and maybe include a screamer or two in your homemade set-up.
Also on shock loading slings,
http://dmmclimbing.com/knowledge/how-to-break-nylon-dyneema-slings/
winmag4582001 - Jun 16, 2012 8:26 pm - Hasn't voted
CoolI'm taking my son here in a few weeks and he wants to film the traverse. About how long did it take from start to finish so we know how much memory to pack in the gopro? THANKS!
TommyMac - Jul 24, 2012 1:00 am - Hasn't voted
Word of CAUTIONYes, this via ferrata line is almost entirely a traverse (horizontal), however, it needs to be stated clearly that using slings for your attachments is a very bad idea. Slings have no energy-absorbing stretch, and even a short fall can put huge load forces on the sling and (more worrisome) the carabiners, which can break. So, don't be cheap! Buy a via ferrata lanyard about $90 that includes the carabiners. It's an inexpensive insurance policy. And most importantly, all readers here should know that using slings and even short sections of climbing rope are NOT safe on more traditional, vertical via ferrata lines where falls of over 6 feet are possible. Be safe!