A . San Juan Mountain Guides is proud to introduce the brand new Ouray Via Ferrata (OVF)! Established in 2002. How much: This activity costs $125 per person during the high season, and $80 per person during the low season. Make sure to bring a camera and a friend to record this awesome outdoor adventure! All participants are required to have an NROCKS-approved guide. During this 3.5-5 hour climb you'll gain 1085 feet in elevation, cross a suspension bridge that is 150 feet high and 200 feet long, and reach exposed heights of 280 feet. Dave Holcomb, Hey there fellow old fart, Gonna be there in October after a trip to Williamsburg with my wife. I felt so confident, that about midway I pulled out my camera for a few photos. Climbing the NROCKS Via Ferrata in West Virginia: What It's Really Like From this one, you can see Spruce Knob, the tallest point in West Virginia. The headwall was the last big challenge of the day. This West Virginia Via Ferrata Is Longer (And Higher) Than - MSN An 86-year-old man has died climbing a Via Ferrata alpine route at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort near Golden, B.C. Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata: 73 Reviews, Map - West Virginia | AllTrails We appreciate and understand the desire and preference of using your own gear if you have it, but in order to comply with our insurance policy, we require everyone who comes to experience the Via Ferrata at NROCKS to use the gear that is supplied by staff. Does this via ferrata look crazy fun, or just plain crazy to you? Those colors are so beautiful! and Arches. MUST have prior experience on the Via Ferrata at NROC & must be 13 years old or older. Anissa Laverne Larson, 53, of Tucson, Ariz.,. Previously, the move had been pure fun. Two ran at our feet, with narrow, widely spaced boards serving as steps in between them. Read the full disclosure policy. Built in 2002, the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks was only the second of . Try to hike before noon if possible. All one needs to do is climb into one of the metal rungs and hang out. After this point, youll turn onto the fin. Plywood Does not approve of this tag. While they are not for everyone, they are a great option to combine hiking with rock climbing. What to bring: You don't need to bring any climbing gear, as a harness and helmet will be provided. He managed to get through the course, but he said that he was done climbing for good. These interesting razorback formations were formed by rock being folded more than 250 million years ago as the Appalachian Mountains were just settling into being. You need to know yourself. Im 41 and athletic, and I did find it challenging. Its a system that is said to be safe for people who have no prior climbing training. Our sister company, The Outdoor Learning Center specializes in both with groups of all shapes and sizes. Looks. Nelson Rocks Preserve is located at the first dirt road south of Judy Gap (the intersection of WV 28 and US 33, where US 33 arrives from the east). On three sides Nelson Rocks is surrounded on three sides by the Monongahela National Forest. *Pricing subject to change without notice, Join the NROCKS family and receive our free Insider's Guide to the North Fork Valley, packed with useful information about the region. The nearest cold beverages and modern restrooms are at a convenience store in Circleville, 2 miles south. Unfortunately we cannot allow you to use your own helmet or harness. Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center - Canopy Tours, Via Ferrata Climbs, Cabins The rock is made of quartzite and sandstone, which makes the rock easy to grip although a bit sharp at times. They had always wanted to spend a few days hiking, climbing, and rafting through the Mountain State on their way to the Sunshine State, and now they were finally doing it. After the troopers crossed, it was our turn. Must be 13 years of age or older and have prior experience on the Via Ferrata at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, *taxes not included in pricing. The only restroom fulfills the stereotypical assumption many visitors will likely make before arriving in West Virginia. Had no idea you could do something like this in West Virginia. Packages - nrocks.com If the bridge failed, or I missed a step, I would quickly appreciate that safety line. It typically takes from three and a half to five hours to do the entire route at Nelson Rocks, but it can certainly take longer, especially if you stop to . Our Via Ferrata tethers allow for at least one connection at all times. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. Looking down into the gap between the two rock fins, the swinging bridge now appeared tiny and distant, and not the least bit threatening. This proposal is in absolute the most flexible and complete via ferrata trekking in the Dolomites! They can provide a helmet that has the GoPro mount. Looks like it would be an incredible experience. At the shed, I paid the $45 fee for climbing the Via, received my safety equipment, and met my climbing partners. I am very lucky that Im not really afraid of heights! "Via Ferrata" is Italian for "Iron Road" and describes the time of climbing using metal rungs and cables affixed to the rock. Caving is an outdoor activity that involves exploring underground and undeveloped passages. The bridge is 150 feet off the ground with a gap of about one foot between the steps. You step onto the road, and, if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might get swept off to." A night out like no other! NROCKS says the course can take anywhere from 3.5-5 hours on average, and our group finished in about 4 with a couple short breaks for water/snacks. What if you could make your way up a mountainside, almost as easily as climbing a ladder? At the top of the narrow rock knife is an unobstructed view of the entire area. Never were we supposed to remove both clips at the same time. Nelson Rocks says that climbers need to have "some physical ability.". Visitors from the Northeast region and around the world enjoy adventure vacations at NROCKS. Nelson Rocks Preserve is located at the first dirt road south of Judy Gap (the intersection of WV 28 and US 33, where US 33 arrives from the east). (There's a visitor center there, as well as a hiking trail for anyone who decides the via ferrata is just not for them.). Also go to Google and just put in via ferrata. Youll need to climb down a different set of ladders to get back to the bottom. Via Ferrata in the Dolomites: the best via ferrata treks Buena Vista. It consists of cables, bridges and metal pieces drilled into the rock. These were the very first Via Ferrata, which translated means iron roads. Afterwards, thats a great spot for photos in case youre not comfortable taking one during the via ferrata. Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time. The Nelson Rocks via ferrata is a great introduction to this fantastic sport that requires little equipment. which took us to the far side of the second rock fin. The Nelson Rocks via ferrata provides your equipment, including the helmut, the harness, and the via ferrata set. The very first via ferratas were built as a way to traverse tricky mountain passes, and were most famously used during WWI to help move troops through the Alps. To zip you must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds. There are also rustic cabins for rent for a $10 cabin fee, and $10 per . These elements include necessity of harnesses, carabiners, shock-absorbing leashes and knowledge . Constructed by a world-class team of climbers, guides, engineers, and rigging professionals, the route winds its way through the incomparable Uncompahgre Gorge. Climbing the NROCKS Via Ferrata in West Virginia! - YouTube Make a reservation today to guarantee a spot on one of our tours! Guest lounge, hiking, climbing wall and more! . The Via Ferrata is open by appointment only. As we rested at the foot of the bridge, a group of West Virginia State Police troopers came up behind us. Now, though, they are mostly used for recreation. . The Via Ferrata At Nelson Rocks "Via Ferrata" is Italian for "Iron Road" and describes the time of climbing using metal rungs and cables affixed to the rock. Guest lounge, hiking, climbing wall and more! At Elkins, follow signs to stay on 33 East and onto Rt 33/55 to Seneca Rocks. Climbers are connected to steel cables while using the steel rungs and/or rock face to traverse, ascend, or descend the route. I bought this after my first via ferrata. Participants are secured to the rock by wearing a special harness that attaches to the steel cable. Unforeseen circumstances are just that. While reservations are not required for the Via Ferrata, they are highly recommended. I wore a good pair of hiking sneakers, athletic clothes, and my fingerless climbing gloves. While this activity might look technical in photos, you don't have to have any climbing experience in order to participate. Via Ferrata is a protected trail or climbing route used in the mountains to make passage easier and more secure. Your safety is dependent on you as the guides can help, but there is only so much they can do if you do not follow proper via ferrata technique. They were using the Via to train for rescue operations. Climbers are able to rest while climbing. The darker colored rocks on Angels Landing start to get quite hot around the noon hour during the summer months. Like Seneca Rocks, Nelson Rocks were used as a training ground for the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division in the early 1940s and an estimated 75,000 pitons are still to be found hammered into the rock. Climbers/hikers are required to use harnesses, helmets, and locking carabiners. To subscribe, visit our website at www.wonderfulwv.com or call 800.225.5982. The Via Ferrata runs up, over, and through the two rock fins, which jut out from a rounded, tree-covered hillside. Yes. Please read our privacy policy. Beginners and experienced enthusiasts enjoy the Via Ferrata at NROCKS. Taking You to New Height on the Via Ferrata - Destination Adventure Via Ferrata climbers must be at least 13 years of age and must be in good physical condition with the ability to handle the physical challenges of climbing while maintaining tether connections, etc. Check out this 2.2-mile loop trail near Circleville, West Virginia. For colder weather, we suggest a jacket, a hat to wear under your helmet, and full-fingered gloves. Were sure to have the lodging type that fit the needs of your adventure! But, the climb was incredibly rewarding! Rocky hills, heart-stopping high-wire thrills on West Virginia's Via What if there were rungs and safety cables already built into the rock? No one in our group wanted to bow out, though, and we soon made our way across the bridge a couple at a time. Theres only a handful of them in the U.S., and one of them is located in the hills of eastern West Virginia. Once you turn the corner, youre 150-200 feet up in the air with a sheer drop along the cliff face with good foot and hand holds. The Iron Route - Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Please do not wear sandals of any kind or crocs. A short drive from Nelson, . AWESOME.. The other two are waist-high, creating handrails. I have climbed the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata twice, the last time at age 80! Required fields are marked *. They have facilities of their own, but can also customize a day trip at NROCKS to focus on teambuilding. During World War I, the Italians permanently installed cables and ladders in the Alps (specifically, the Dolomites), to allow for faster and safer troop movement. Let our knowledgeable guides lead you on a climbing adventure through the alpine terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The view from the end of the bridge, looking back after crossing it. Several times, I had to quickly clip to a rung and go hands-free, just to give myself a rest. Via Ferrata - Jackson Hole Mountain Resort YES! It makes me want to prepare a trip right away! Very nice climb. This part was the most exhilarating and terrifying bit for me. We utilize the best equipment in the industry, hire well-qualified guides who then receive high-level training, and we regularly review our procedures to ensure that we are providing the safest experience possible. I couldnt help but look down. Many sections of the route are un-cabled to add technical mountaineering elements (something Chuck cherished). I decided to tackle the headwall, along with Neil and Jeanne. Youll gear up, and get taught how to use the 2 carabiner lanyard which allows climbers to be clipped into the safety cable at all times. We lucked out with the weather and set off from Pennsylvania with a group of adventurous friends ready to conquer the via ferrata. The Iron Path | Campus Recreation | Liberty University NROCKS offers Sport Climbing, Top Rope Climbing, Zip Lines, guided Canopy Tours as well as the Nations Premiere Via Ferrata. British woman plunges 300ft to her death in front of husband during Brian went first, then Bonnie, who had designated herself as the most nervous member of the group. Once on the rock, climbers must ensure their own safety by keeping their equipment properly connected to the fixed-anchor systems at all times. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nelson Rocks Preserve borrowed the Via Ferrata concept from Italy. Doesn't seem nearly as sketchy as the bridge you have to cross at the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata in West . West Virginia State Police say Amanda Joy Crawford was climbing a via ferrata (iron way) at the Nelson Rocks Preserve in Pendleton County when she unhooked one of her lines to go around a tree, mis-stepped, and fell almost 150 feet. Participants MUST be 13 or older and weigh between 88 and 265 pounds. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, a canopy tour (including with zip-lines), and lodging (including rustic cabins). It felt reassuring to be firmly secured to the safety cable. The view looking across the hollow, onto the rock fins on the opposite hillside. Overcome the fear of heights and climb the exciting Via Ferrata and see the West Virginia Appalachians at their finest. My harness held all the weight, allowing me to dangle, hands free, on the side of the mountain. An expensive watch will likely end up scratched by the rocks. (He really doesn't like heights, so I was pretty proud of him before we even left on our West Virginia road trip. Sometimes they may not be able to accommodate walk-ins. My name is Amanda, and I'm a former journalist-turned-blogger from Ohio who's been writing about travel since 2010.

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