Climbing Via Ferrata

OVERVIEW

This trip is designed for climbers and brave non-climbers looking for a unique and fun adventure!

Everyone will go to the waitlist initially. I will add people as they sign up based on the number of drivers- preference will go to those who have been waitlisted recently and for those who have not attended Rick’s 2 Via Ferrata trips. You will be let off the waitlist by Thursday night. *Please note the Thursday withdrawal deadline.*

The trip takes place at Nelson Rocks on the VA/WVA border. Nelson Rocks is defined by two giant rock towers that crown a beautiful green mastiff. Along these seemingly endless rock spires are bolted steel rebar- molded into steps. We will climb several hundred feet high along this permanent ladder until we reach the summit of Nelson Rocks. While you climb, you are clipped into a steel cable for safety. This system is called the Via Ferrata- which is very popular in the Italian Alps and Dolomites. It is one of the few such systems in the U.S.
Included in this breathtakingly exposed jaunt is a traverse of a 150 foot tall/ 230 feet long rope bridge that connects the two towers. This is one of the tallest and longest such bridges in the world and is worthy of a scene from Indiana Jones. Once we have reached the summit alive, we will rest our nervous bodies before descending a pleasant trail to the bottom.

This trip is a good opportunity to do what professional climbers do all the time- yet without their experience. Club will provide harnesses, helmets, gas $. Please visit the Nelson Rocks Home Page and view the pictures and diagrams for this trip. http://www.nelsonrocks.org/via.html

**::::Important safety concerns::::**
The Via Ferrata route is very exposed!!!!!! Furthermore, there are only 3 places from which to exit the route safely. So, if you get scared, you can’t simply climb down- you have to keep climbing until you reach the next exit point, which could be more than 50 ft. above you. Also, keep in mind you will be attached to the safety cable via two carabiners. If you accidentally unclip both from the wire and then fall, you will fall a very long ways and likely not survive! If you fall while clipped in, you may still be injured a little, as the fall will be a few feet. Please go to the Nelson Rocks home page and read their matter-of-fact admonitions!! (link is above)
(Trip description courtesy of Rick Evans.)

You should bring:
-$35 cash for the Via Ferrata fee (will be a little cheaper if we get enough people for a group rate)
– extra cash for pizza after we’re done (optional depending on group consensus)
-warm clothes, a fleece jacket (it will likely be a bit chilly), rain jacket in case
-A water bottle and a lunch/snacks (a small backpack is good also)
-your own climbing harness and helmet if you have them
-a camera (optional); the views are amazing and we should see some fall color