Hi everyone!
I’m planning to do the Murren Gimmelwald Via Ferrata this Saturday at around 9am. It’s been on my bucket list for ages and I’ve planned it as my birthday adventure 🎂🥹, so I’m really looking forward to it!! but I’m honestly quite upset looking at the weather forecast for this week!
The forecast is showing some rain/thunderstorms later in the day, and I’m wondering how strict they are about closing the route when rain is forecast.
Has anyone done the Via Ferrata recently in similar conditions? Do they usually allow you to start in the morning if the weather is dry at the time, even if rain is expected later?
Also, how wet does the route become if there has been rain overnight?
Any advice from people who have done it recently would be really appreciated!
I am planning to go with a group of 4 friends in the last week of august on tge via ferrata. It's our first one and I don't rrslly know how hard it is. We want to go without a guide. Personally i am not really afraid of heights i like going on rides at amusement parks but i get a little uneasy when i am looking down. I have experience with hiking having climbed mountains such as Athos. Any tips? Besides how to use the via ferrata equipment maybe just how to strap the harness or if i can ask someone there if it's tight enough.
Hi everyone, I’m planning my first via ferrata (around K2/K3 or K3). I own a pair of Meindl Island GTX leather boots, which are quite heavy, weighing about 1.6 kg per pair. I handle 25–30 km daily hikes in mountainous terrain with them just fine, so my main concern is safety, given that they are stiff, high-cut boots. If possible, I’d like to dodge spending over 300 euros on another pair of boots. Thanks!
I am visiting Austria and wanting to do this via ferrata, with a hired guide. Just wondering, even with a guide, if I could potentially be in over my head. I am generally fine with heights/exposure (have done another high exposure via ferrata, very high bungee, many exposed hikes), but from a fitness standpoint - exactly how strong do you need to be? I have decent upper body strength for a woman but can only do assisted pullups, for example. But, strong arms and legs/regularly work out, also run a fair bit. I have done a lot of awkward scrambling, but not many hikes that genuinely require a ton of upper body strength. Just curious how difficult it really is.
Note - the only via ferrata I have done is the Delle Bocchette Centrali in Italy. I believe it was graded B/C; high exposure but I only recall one or two tiny points that required any real kind of “strategy”/picking your hand and foot holds. I did not find it difficult other than it was just a long hike (I started from the valley).
Hey everyone!
Planning to do the Via Ferrata de la Guinguette in Tenay (Ain, France) sometime between August 28–31 and would love to find people to go with.
Complete beginner here, zero via ferrata experience but I've done my research on the route, comfortable with heights, and know the basics of how the Y-lanyard system works. Planning to do the Buis route first and see how it goes from there.
Would really appreciate going with someone who has some experience, or even another first timer who wants company. Train from Lyon Part-Dieu takes about 40 minutes so it's a very doable day trip.
Flexible on exact date within that window so happy to coordinate around what works for others.
DM me if you're around or have any tips for a first timer on this route!
For anyone that has done the Murren Via Ferrata, what time did you start and was it crowded?
Hi!
I just wanted to share a new website about Via Ferrata in Norway: via-ferrata.no
The website is still under construction, but it already contains a list of Via Ferrata routes across Norway, with information about difficulty, location, duration, parking, price, guide requirement and more. Some destinations also have more detailed guides, and I’m adding more content regularly.
If you’re interested in Via Ferrata in Norway, feel free to check it out:
Hi everyone!
34 year old woman living in Switzerland.
I’ve been doing a lot of sports since I was a kid, and I’m fairly small but quite muscular and lean, especially from practicing combat sports since years.
This summer, I tried a via ferrata for the first time. We started with a K3 and the same day with a K4 which my friend and I found surprisingly easy. We had a lot of fun, so the next day we went for a K4/5. Same feeling: physically it was almost too easy, but still really enjoyable.
I should also mention that I have absolutely no fear of heights. I actually love it and find the exposure really fun and relaxing rather than scary.
I’m planning to try a K5+ this weekend. I’ve never done climbing in my life, though. I feel like I have the physical condition and the mental side for harder routes, but I’m wondering about the specific skills needed for the higher grades.
For those of you who have experience with K5 or K6 via ferratas, would you recommend getting some actual climbing experience before attempting a K6? For example, should I learn and practice things like climbing overhangs, using my feet properly, body positioning, etc.?
I’m not really worried about the height or the physical effort. I’m more concerned whether there are specific climbing techniques that become essential at K6 and that I can do to prepare.
Would love to hear your experiences and advice. Thanks! :)
Me and a friend are planning on backpacking europe for 2 months in december and january.
Neither of us have done any via ferratas before, and we were wondering if we should even consider doing one at winter, or its too dangerous.
If it is safe is a guide mandatory, or can do it ourselves?
The country’s only via ferrata within a state park opened today at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. There is also rock climbing in the park.
Hi everyone! We’re planning to climb Punta Penia via the western ridge via ferrata and descend via the glacier.
We’re a group of 4 people, and we’d really appreciate some current information/advice:
What is the current condition of the glacier? Is the descent currently feasible?
Is it possible to reach the first section/ladder of the via ferrata without any climbing, or is there a technical section before reaching it?
Are there any particular things we should be aware of or tips for this route?
We have crampons, an ice axe, a rope, and via ferrata kits.
Any recent information or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I bought the Ocun capture Lite and my question now is do I need to remove the plastic cable Thats wrapped around the shock absorber before use or is it designed to break in case of a fall?
Last night I saw lights at the Daubenhorn route. Which of you maniacs was that?
And also, is that a thingie? Climbing at night?
hello my question might sound silly but I have done vias before but never alone is this something not recommended? if i have the appropriate gear, told ppl where I am and the via is compatible with what I can do
is there anything else I need to know ?
https://reddit.com/link/1vkemds/video/70o878t28iih1/player
Wanted to try one of the hardest via ferrata in the Dolomites - Cesare Piazzetta to Piz Boè - for many years, and finally did it.
Decided for an early start, both to avoid the heat of the day, and to enjoy the sunrise views. And this decision paid off!
Parked the car near the German soldiers’ cemetery, and started the approach at 4:45. Even though the temperature was ~12°C, it was very humid from last evening’s rain, and quite hot to hike uphill (~400m in elevation). Walking off the grassy hills onto the rocks made it better. I was at the start of via ferrata after an hour. After a short stop to put on the gear, grab a snack and enjoy the breathtaking views of Dolomites at dawn - I started the climb at 6:00.
Via ferrata Cesare Piazzetta is rated as one of the hardest in the Dolomites. And you do get the proof of that at the very first meters of it. The rock is glossy, slippery, overhanging at points, and you do need quite a bit of fitness to brute force it with sheer strength. After the 20-30 m of strenuous activity, the ferrata becomes moderate until it shifts towards easy scrambling and a hike on gravel and rocks to the top.
I was on top of Piz Boè (3152 m) at 7:30, removed the gear, enjoyed a proper coffee (from the hut) with breathtaking views, and started the descent at 8:00. The descent was easy, somehow I felt energetic and ran the most of the way down, saving a lot of time. The crowds going up the hike path were huge, and I was quite sorry for them doing all those steep zigzags up, while I was running down. Caught a few angryish side-eyes, and immediately understood how all those trail runners feel when passing me on any uphill.
At 9:00 I was back at the car, super proud of the total time - 4h 30 minutes was at least an hour faster than I planned. And even more happy to make it back to the hotel for a shower before checkout.
Ranking ferratas, I’d give the Piazzetta a solid 8 - it is very challenging at the beginning, but loses that quite soon, and the ferrata itself is not too long. For me the biggest rewards were the initial challenge and breathtaking views. What I can’t stress enough, though, is don’t attempt it without good upper body strength, and solid prior ferrata experience.
In comparison, ferrata Erminio Arosio al Corno del Grevo was harder due to being much longer with sustained difficulty, constant exposure, long distances between bolts, so you have to actually think it through as a climbing challenge, and hell of a descent.
Some more higher definition views:
This is just out of curiosity: I'm sure most of you, if not everyone, don't go on via ferratas mainly to become like Arnold, or as a replacement for whatever training you do just to get in shape. But has anyone who has been doing lots of VF, without doing any other major activities, eventually gotten into great shape? Like having low body fat and well-developed arms and legs?
The reason I'm asking is because I'm already in good shape since I train specifically for it. When I see other people on VFs, there are often 60 or 70yo guys, or I see women and men with very average-looking physiques... So I suppose that, for example, I can certainly do more strict pull-ups than most people on VFs, I can run faster than most of them, and I can do more weighted pistol squats than most of them... But I still suck at doing via ferratas.
I find that I don't move forward very fast, and once I get into a difficult section, I get tired quickly and my forearms start burning. (And I'm not talking about extreme VF by any means.)
From what I understand, it's mainly a matter of confidence: you need to turn your fear of heights into fun and trust where to place your feet without thinking too much about it. Despite that, there are some ferratas, or just short sections on medium-difficulty ones, that require you to pull with your arms and just use strength.
I don't do many VF, but I guess that if I started doing them consistently, like twice a week with progressively increasing difficulty, I'd probably see some gains in my forearms and calves at least.
Has anyone transformed their physique just by doing this activity, purely as a side effect? Does it only work with very difficult ferratas? Or does it just not work that way at all?
Hello,
I’m considering doing the VF coming Friday on my drive back to the Netherlands and I’m looking for some advice.
I have done some climbing, outdoor and indoor, though the last outdoor was 8 years ago and not very difficult. I have never done a VF but I know I’m good with heights and in decent shape.
A friend who did it last year called “baby climbing” and says it should be easy for me. However, all the posts and information I come across advise against doing it alone and even doing it altogether as a first VF.
While I enjoy adventure and a bit of adrenaline, I also don’t want to take any stupid risks. I have a wife and a 5 year old daughter, so coming back safely is important to me.
Am I overthinking this and as long as I’m careful and understand how to use the equipment I should be ok? Or should I just do the hike instead?
Also, if anyone is in the area and wants to do it together, I’d be up for some company. My plan is to go up on Friday 14th August. I don’t have any equipment with me, so I’d set off as soon as the rental place can get me sorted.
Thanks!
Hello. I have a somewhat silly question Iguess? I never climbed outside but im visiting gran canaria with some friends who wanna do (extraplomix)? I asked some ai because I’ve never done a viaferrata and AI claims it’s really hard. For reference i Climb 8B+ lead and Boulder 8a 8a+ this would be my first Ferrata. Does this transition is this a smart choice? Thanks for the advice in advance guys.
Kind regards,
I am planning a 2 week hike, and some stages have via ferrata sections, class A and B. I am an experienced Alpine thuhiker (always solo), but I have never done any via ferrata, nor any climbing (indoor or outdoor). Of course some clambering on Alpine hikes is expected so I am physically capable / strong / fit. Am I crazy to consider doing this by myself for the first time? Is that completely irresponsible, and should I reroute my plans to avoid these sections? Or is it possible if I go get the appropriate gear and watch some YouTube videos for the basics lol?
