DOLOMITES VIA FERRATA
Discussion
anyone done a trip like this
http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/twk.html?return=c...
can it be recommend.
http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/twk.html?return=c...
can it be recommend.
I did a week in the Dolomites with Colletts Mountain Holidays a few years ago, doing Via Ferrata. It was excellent and I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys being in the mountains. Lots of different grades depending how adventurous (or vertigo-prone) you are.
We drove down in the Caterham over a weekend (stayed in Colmar on the Sat night), had 5 days driving/walking/climbing and then drove back. Fantastic holiday.
We drove down in the Caterham over a weekend (stayed in Colmar on the Sat night), had 5 days driving/walking/climbing and then drove back. Fantastic holiday.
a boardman said:
anyone done a trip like this
http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/twk.html?return=c...
can it be recommend.
yeah, looking to do it next year, some of the climbs/trapeze look very arse twitchingly scary, prob stick to medium level ones. I'm going to book my trip in bits, flight from Cardiff/Bristol followed by 3 day guide and B&B, works out cheaper and more adventurous. Just to get you in the mood:http://www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/twk.html?return=c...
can it be recommend.
k that!!!
Via Ferratta is great fun!
When i lived in the Alps i organised quite a few trips for groups, including some school groups to take part. The kids loved it!
The original routes date back to WW2 - put in by Italian soldiers who were looking to lay down safer passages across diffuclt terrain. I would assume some of there were in the dolomites.
Its becoming increasingly popular across the Alps with new routes being put in all the time. The idea is that you have two 'binas so you're clipped in all the time and its 100% safe. If you've done even a bit of climbing you can follow the routes without a guide. All good clean fun.
When i lived in the Alps i organised quite a few trips for groups, including some school groups to take part. The kids loved it!
The original routes date back to WW2 - put in by Italian soldiers who were looking to lay down safer passages across diffuclt terrain. I would assume some of there were in the dolomites.
Its becoming increasingly popular across the Alps with new routes being put in all the time. The idea is that you have two 'binas so you're clipped in all the time and its 100% safe. If you've done even a bit of climbing you can follow the routes without a guide. All good clean fun.
Edited by theboymoon on Sunday 19th October 20:19
A few pics from this year...unfortunately I don't have any of the most spectacular/scary bits because I was too busy hanging on to take photos! We did a some 1s, 2s, and a couple of grade 3s - these were quite challenging for non rock climbers like ourselves. Mostly from a fear pov rather than a technical one...
This is the grade 2a route used as an introduction for beginners...it's something like 200 feet up at this point.
On the way to a grade 3 - there's a short bit of cable here but it wasn't part of a "proper" vf, this is really just the footpath. Theres a few miles of this stuff before you reach the actual cabled section.
I've actually always been scared of heights, but this did me the world of good. It doesn't feel nearly so bad when you've got a fixed cable to hang on to. There were a few "sweaty palm" experiences though!
Oh, and I forgot to mention the roads
Much fun!
And make sure you go when the lifts are open! We went on the second week IIRC, and most of the chairlifts weren't open, which limited the vfs we could get to...most of the low/medium grade ones seem to need lift access.
Enjoy!
This is the grade 2a route used as an introduction for beginners...it's something like 200 feet up at this point.
On the way to a grade 3 - there's a short bit of cable here but it wasn't part of a "proper" vf, this is really just the footpath. Theres a few miles of this stuff before you reach the actual cabled section.
I've actually always been scared of heights, but this did me the world of good. It doesn't feel nearly so bad when you've got a fixed cable to hang on to. There were a few "sweaty palm" experiences though!
Oh, and I forgot to mention the roads
Much fun!And make sure you go when the lifts are open! We went on the second week IIRC, and most of the chairlifts weren't open, which limited the vfs we could get to...most of the low/medium grade ones seem to need lift access.
Enjoy!
looks like i am going to book this with colletts, quite a resonable price. (just need to find resonable flights from north west)
looking to go end june/start july.
going to phone tomorrow and reserve a place, have asked a couple of friends if interested they said could be, but will get back to me. god knows when so will book for just me.
now advice please on the kit required, been in local outdoor shop and they have recommend something with a stiffness in the sole for the ladder climbing,
can any recommend suitable boots?
the person in the shop also recommend a camel back is this a necessary?
they also said about this place, anyone been there.
http://www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/via_ferrata.a...
thanks
looking to go end june/start july.
going to phone tomorrow and reserve a place, have asked a couple of friends if interested they said could be, but will get back to me. god knows when so will book for just me.
now advice please on the kit required, been in local outdoor shop and they have recommend something with a stiffness in the sole for the ladder climbing,
can any recommend suitable boots?
the person in the shop also recommend a camel back is this a necessary?
they also said about this place, anyone been there.
http://www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/via_ferrata.a...
thanks
a boardman said:
looks like i am going to book this with colletts, quite a resonable price. (just need to find resonable flights from north west)
looking to go end june/start july.
going to phone tomorrow and reserve a place, have asked a couple of friends if interested they said could be, but will get back to me. god knows when so will book for just me.
now advice please on the kit required, been in local outdoor shop and they have recommend something with a stiffness in the sole for the ladder climbing,
can any recommend suitable boots?
We just used ordinary walking boots - I had some old lightweight summer ones, the missus proper leather jobs - you don't need anything special, just sturdy with decent ankle support for the walking bits (of which there are a lot) really. As well as the ferrata bits, you'll be climbing a snowdon sized bit of mountain most days!looking to go end june/start july.
going to phone tomorrow and reserve a place, have asked a couple of friends if interested they said could be, but will get back to me. god knows when so will book for just me.
now advice please on the kit required, been in local outdoor shop and they have recommend something with a stiffness in the sole for the ladder climbing,
can any recommend suitable boots?
You hire the climbing kit there - the local shops all do a full kit, about £30 for the week I think it was.
a boardman said:
the person in the shop also recommend a camel back is this a necessary?
Absolute godsend! Get one! There are lots of cheaper copies these days, any will be better than carrying bottles about...and you will need water.a boardman said:
they also said about this place, anyone been there.
http://www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/via_ferrata.a...
thanks
No, keep meaning to though.http://www.honister-slate-mine.co.uk/via_ferrata.a...
thanks
I've heard Honister isn't very much like a real VF anyway (and they made a big fuss in the OMM media-frenzy last month so I'm boycotting them 
).
Kit to take:
).Kit to take:
- Normal pair of walking boots. I prefer Scarpas but whatever fits your feet best.
- Camelbaks are useful for drinking without hassle. Most modern rucksacks come with a sleeve for a bladder of some kind anyway.
- Just normal mountain kit although make sure your movement is not restricted.
- Perhaps a pair of cycling gloves for gripping the ladders/cables.
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