Taking my son to WV for a via feratta climb for his 16th birthday. I had no idea this was here until last year, just down the road about 90 minutes from here. There are locations all over the US (mostly out west) and Europe, but this is supposedly the best on the east coast. $130 apiece, takes ~3h or so, ages 13 and up.
Any experience with these types of climbs? Looks pretty intense for those not accustomed to operating at height. My son and I both have climbing and high angle rope experience so I’m not particularly anxious about it.
I have done them several times (not specifically the one in WVa).
Happy to answer questions. In general, if someone is reasonably fit and is ok with heights, they should be fine on a via Ferrata in the US. (Some in Europe are more out there, from what I have seen). Because you are always clipped into the cable, if you fall you won’t go too far. It would be jarring, I imagine, but not too bad. You can stop almost anytime you want, whether to rest or take pics or enjoy the view.
On one outing, we had a teenager in the group. No climbing experience, but he was fit. He had a blast.
Curious which routes you’ve climbed and your experiences there. It’s my new obsession and I’m mildly irked I haven’t discovered this sooner. But my kids are coming of age now so better late than never.
I went to Nelson Rocks 10-15 years ago and loved it. It was a rainy day with dense fog so we didn’t do the bridge and second side, but the views were still impressive. It really developed my passion for unique rock formations. It felt safer than climbing a ten foot ladder and no one in the group had any issues.
Thanks for checking in. Were you not permitted due to weather or was that a decision you landed on? I’m a little nervous about not being able to complete the climb if weather is an issue.
Pretty much every review said it was a memory of a lifetime.
I did one in Whistler with my son when he was around 11 or so, but he’s fearless and had some indoor climbing experience. It was an absolute blast.
I’m heading to Switzerland in a month and if anyone has any recommendations for myself and my partner (she has zero climbing experience but is pretty fit) I’m all ears.
It was not our choice to traverse the first face only, but the company’s that morning. After driving a few hours to get out there from DC, we were satisfied to do anything after they discussed a full cancelation.
My husband and daughter did the Ouray one. If you’re fit and used to some climbing they can be a bit annoying as you are stuck behind others that can be slow moving. They had fun- but have not pushed to do another and we have a bunch around us. I would rate it as a cool tourist activity.
I have done two of them in Estes Park, CO, one of which I have done multiple times. My perspective is a bit skewed because I have been a serious climber for a long time.
I have climbed extensively at Seneca Rocks, which is geologically and geographically similar to Nelson Rocks. The exposure up there will be cool (or frightening, depending on one’s perspective). That rock is prone to breaking, so helmets are highly recommended (and the guide service will likely require them).
One time a t-storm rolled in much faster than expected. Of course, we really didn’t want to be on all that metal in a t-storm. We were able to top out in time, but that worry did cut into the fun.
Some people might want a light-weight pair of gloves, depending on how tough their skin is. It’s not an issue for a rock climber.
Although I am good with heights, crossing a tiny bridge across a chasm was attention-getting. On a rock climb, you tend to gain altitude fairly slowly and will adjust to it. On a VF you can rather quickly find yourself way off the deck.
I have a strong self-preserving fear of heights especially when it’s outdoors exposed. So while all of this is cool (for others), definitely not to my liking.
In fact, just last night I had a dream. I was looking out over NYC north to Central Park and beyond from inside a newly constructed apartment building that was waaaaay taller than anything currently existing. I was ok admiring the view until the sliding glass wall opened to a patio-- and I was essentially outdoors in the elements.
This was the only concerning aspect of Nelson for me. The formation is a knife’s edge; your safety system is only as good as the structure it’s attached to and it looks like it could blow over in a stiff breeze. But I see their safety record is sound, from what I can gather. Falling rocks is always a concern with climbing, but the mountain itself falling over isn’t something I’d typically worry about.
Probably an irrational fear but you can’t look at those images an not wonder when, not if.
Early in my climbing life I ascended a pinnacle at Seneca called The Gendarme. It was maybe 30’ high and 10’ in diameter. About a month later the whole thing fell down.
But, while large-scale rockfall is a risk, it is quite rare, even in the lower-quality stuff at Seneca and Nelson. For climbers, the bigger risk is someone above you knocking a rock down. That should be a much smaller risk on a VF, since you’re mostly climbing the metal, not pulling on the rock itself. I doubt it’s much more dangerous than road cycling.
Some of my formative climbing experiences were at Seneca Rocks (before I moved to Boulder ). I climbed the Gendarme in 1978 or 1979. As you know, it wasn’t a hard climb, but the exposure was impressive.
Some pics from the web - there are surprisingly few!
). I climbed the Gendarme in 1978 or 1979. As you know, it wasn’t a hard climb, but the exposure was impressive.
