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We climbed up and to the left on the first fin, and then passed through a notch near the top of the rock. Home United States West Virginia Climbing a Via Ferrata in West Virginia: Crazy Fun or Just Plain Crazy? The rust-red rocks of Arizona's Grand Canyon top many a bucket list - and for good reason. For the first stage of the climb, we went up and to the left, working our way to a notch in the first fin. Member. A few individuals have attempted to establish more via ferratas in the U.S., but most are opposed to this because of the level of destruction it causes to the rock. You may wear shorts if conditions allow. Sometimes you think that spot is okay to put your foots, but suddenly its not. Climbers must be at least 13 years of age and weigh between 88 and 265 pounds to tackle this route. The town where A Christmas Story was born. I was tired by the end. They were using the Via to train for rescue operations. Now, living inThe Hague, the Netherlands. Estes Park and Colorado Via Ferratas During the climb, visitors gain 1085 feet in elevation, cross a large suspension bridge, and be rewarded with stunning views. The two outcrops are. The Via Ferrata is open by appointment only. The bridge was our favorite part of the climb, as my son had been waiting a year to get the chance to cross it. Hey, Im right there with you. My husband who had service through Appalachian Wireless was the only one who had a decent connection, so its best to go old school with buying a map or printing out directions before you go. AWESOME.. You need a car if youre visiting It is possible to stay on lodges at Nelson Rocks itself, however we ended up staying in the nearby Elkins, West Virginia as there were more options for food. Then,Paris. 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. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats. Via ferrata was invented by the Italians as a way of fighting in the mountains and easily passing troops through the Alps during World War I. A few things I'd be sure to bring include: What if I get scared? I do remember almost 15 years ago, when i step into slippery point or spots then suddenly, i get knocked very hard in the head, and thanks God im wearing a helmet. I couldnt help but look down. Beginners and experienced enthusiasts enjoy the Via Ferrata at NROCKS. The course isn't for the faint of heart or those with more than a healthy fear of heights. It was a big confidence boost for us all. No one in our group wanted to bow out, though, and we soon made our way across the bridge a couple at a time. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to do a rock climb without needing all the experience required to do lead climbing. Hiker who died had unclipped from cable on Colorado via ferrata 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. The Downstream OVF Route. The premiere Via Ferrata in North America. Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via There was an really nice diner in town that we went to before heading out. Thats a shame because its a Pittsburgh is jam-packed with the oddest little curiosities in the most unlikely places sometimes, right below your feet. Climb the Iron Way, take in the stunning scenery, ascend breathtaking heights, and make memories to last a life time or until the next time. The Via passes through the notch, then continues up the other side of the first fin. Which is probably why when I saw video of this particular activity, my first and only thought was, That. Here at NROCKS we specialize in groups of all sizes. I felt so confident, that about midway I pulled out my camera for a few photos. The nearest cold beverages and modern restrooms are at a convenience store in Circleville, 2 miles south. One of them really is a Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). The bridge is 150 feet high and 200 feet across. This proposal is in absolute the most flexible and complete via ferrata trekking in the Dolomites! Nelson Rocks Preserve : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering - SummitPost First, youll scale the wall that will bring up up the fin. Click here to find out what dates are available and to book your adventure today! Brian only wanted three people at the most on the bridge at a time. It felt reassuring to be firmly secured to the safety cable. Im slightly afraid of heights but I think (hope) this is something I can manage. Try our new Top Ropes program. Doesn't seem nearly as sketchy as the bridge you have to cross at the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata in West . Passing through the notch is tricky, though, as it requires climbers to swing around to the other side of the rock. It hangs 150 feet above the ground, and is made of a few cables and wooden planks spaced about 16 inches apart. From this one, you can see Spruce Knob, the tallest point in West Virginia. Almost anyone! There is a very tiny sign marking the turn, but youd never see it if you werent looking for it. 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. He managed to get through the course, but he said that he was done climbing for good. For more information about the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks, visit the Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center website at www.nelsonrocks.org or call 877.435.4342. 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. 10 Awesome Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park. 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. This dirt road leads through the hollow in between the two hills, and ends on private property (where Id bet they have a very nice viewbut you cant go there!). It takes 3.5 to 5 hours to complete and is recommended for those in at least moderate physical condition. In convention rock climbing, someone needs to be ensuring that you dont fall. At least if it failed you'd die an instantaneous death too, which is frankly one of the best things we can ask for in life..right? nrocks.com - Via Ferrata, Zip Lines, Climbing, North Forks Valley, WV All participants are required to have an NROCKS-approved guide. Let our knowledgeable guides lead you on a climbing adventure through the alpine terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. (There were also safety waivers involved, though we filled those out before leaving home.). Driving along US33 is a stunning drive as youll see many of these formations from the road. NROCKS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES - 49 Photos & 35 Reviews - 141 Nelson - Yelp There are less than a dozen Via Ferrata in the United States. Hi, I enjoyed your review! Your email address will not be published. And I wondered to myself how exactly I had been talked into this. I brought my DSLR, which was a bit difficult to climb with. The bridge is 150 feet off the ground with a gap of about one foot between the steps. Via Ferrata - Telluride Mountain Club If you blink, youll miss the one tiny sign pointing up the dirt road that leads to the preserve, off WV Route 55 near Judy Gap. Buena Vista. A Via Ferrata is Italian for "iron path" and is a climbing route that includes steel cables, rungs or ladders, fixed to a rock. We spoke with an Eastern Mennonite University professor who is familiar with via ferratas. Thats where the final, big challenge awaited. NROCKS offers Via Ferrata tours, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, and guided rock climbing and caving tours. I took up climbing somewhat recently and would love to go climbing in WV! Staff/Guides were outstanding, very safety conscious and had a great sense of humor. Haha. Looks like it would be an incredible experience. If you've ever driven through eastern West Virginia, you may have seen some of the towering fins of Tuscarora quartzite that rise out of the landscape like the craggy backs of dinosaurs. Located on the opposite side of the canyon from the renowned Ouray Ice . The group were on a break . I think without helmet and proper gear or shoes, i think i am no longer in this world. When we clipped out and stepped back onto packed earth at the end of the course, we were basically on top of a small mountain. A . Built in 2002, the NROCKS Via Ferrata was only the second of its kind to be established in the United States and still one of only three on the East Coast. Via Ferrata - Nelson Rocks, WV - YouTube Climbing the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks. ), Check out the monthly Sharp End podcast, based on Accidents in North American Climbing and hosted by Ashley Saupe, We respect your privacy. Now, though, they are mostly used for recreation. I'm in fairly decent shape cardio and muscle-wise (thanks, at-home HIIT workouts, and former-gymnast calves and thighs), and I knew I was well within the weight range required for the climbing gear. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nelson Rocks Preserve borrowed the Via Ferrata concept from Italy. Climbers don helmets and harnesses, and use a set of leashes and carabiners to affix themselves to the cable system as they climb. Who would have imagined that would be the scariest part of the adventure? While you're at it, sign-up for our e-mail newsletter and be the first to learn about new events and promotions at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures. Attached to your harness will be a special via ferrata kit that includes two clips. 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). Nelson Rocks also offers the chance to explore the route at night with their Full Moon Tours. The double-fin rocks provide the unique combination of physical challenge and overwhelming beauty! Then off you go, the higher you climb, the better the views! We took another break before tackling the long hike down. There is no doubt about it. Plenty of people do take this option when they see the next obstacle: the 200-foot-long suspension bridge that takes you over to the second rock fin. Sign up to climb the Via Ferrata on the night of the full moon, April October. There's no easing into this via ferrata; you start with a vertical climb straight away! It makes me want to prepare a trip right away! Ive done via ferratas/klettersteige in five countries now. All you need is a decent level of fitness, and the ability to follow directions in order to use your equipment correctly. While they are not for everyone, they are a great option to combine hiking with rock climbing. A night out like no other! But if you think you're ready and get up on the course and realize it's not for you, there are two escape routes built in one right near the beginning, and another before the suspension bridge. The course IS physically demanding. America's Best Via Ferratas: 6 Great Vertical Adventures in the USA If you are in good shape this is a great experience. Karen. You're not climbing those ladder-like rungs the whole time, but you're using your arms and legs frequently to push and pull yourself up, and your core and feet to keep yourself balanced on lots of uneven surfaces. The naturally-occurring route has been there forever; the rungs and cables merely make it easier to navigate it. But don't worry: you don't have to climb back down the fins. Caving is an outdoor activity that involves exploring underground and undeveloped passages. The Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks is one of only a few of its kind in the United States. Fall on Rock, Inadequate Protection, West Virginia, Nelson Rocks Preserve I appreciate the details you have provided. But what if you didnt have to carry all those ropes, and learn how to use all that equipment? If you get nervous, fingerless climbing gloves can be helpful as they prevent your hands from getting too sweaty to grip the rock/ladders welland prevent your hands from getting too cut up. Its best to make it so that only one person goes across the bridge at a time as a second person can make the bridge move a lot. Not for the faint of heart, but well worth the effort. But if you're like me and think this looks/sounds awesome, keep reading! In 1997, a climber by the name of Stu Hammett bought the land that NROCKS sits on today (known simply as Nelson Rocks), and in 2001 decided he wanted to build his own via ferrata course. Nelson Rocks, a primarily privately owned rock formation in Pendleton County known as NRocks Outdoor Adventures, has a spectacular footbridge. . But last week a rock-climbing date with him ended in tragedy at the West Virginia climbing venue where he works. Luckily, theres a good place to rest and have a bite to eat there while you watch others going across the bridge. If you have a paralyzing fear of heights, this is not the place to try to conquer it first. Climbing a Via Ferrata in West Virginia is a ropes and rocks course on steroids. Good thing, heights doesnt bother you. NROCKS offers Via Ferrata tours, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, and guided rock climbing and caving tours. There it is! As he reached the top of a cliff face and looked around the corner to see cables and foot holds suspended over a completely sheer drop, he said, very matter-of-factly: Oh well that's terrifying.. A guided trip at the privately owned preserve takes approximately four hours, with a total elevation gain of 850 feet. This bridge looks like something you'd expect to find in an Indiana Jones movie. Maybe youre in town to zip through the trees, or climb the local rock, or just to see the sights of West Virginia. Does climbing suddenly sound a little more reasonable? Constructed by a world-class team of climbers, guides, engineers, and rigging professionals, the route winds its way through the incomparable Uncompahgre Gorge. Sure, it would be awesome, but theres no way Id do it. Reservations, policies, discounts and specials. Aaron is a first-hand traveler who has visited more than 80 countries around the world. In 2002, he helped install the Via Ferrata drilling hundreds of holes in the hard quartz rock, and then gluing the rungs into place. Gavinroy38, Colne, United Kingdom. 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. The Preserve is . The one thing Id like to add is that even though you CAN do it year-round, I wouldnt recommend it. Note: This trip was first published in 2008. There isnt a great place to take an up-close picture, until youre actually on the rocks. I decided to tackle the headwall, along with Neil and Jeanne. The average Via Ferrata trip times range from 3.5 hours to 5 hours, depending on the size and speed of the group. From 2017. All Rights Reserved, Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. Vincent Everett - Riding Coach with Vincent Everett NRocksisnt a big operation. Many sections of the route are un-cabled to add technical mountaineering elements (something Chuck cherished). Located in the Potomac Highlands region near Circleville, WV, NROCKS is an easy drive from Davis and Seneca Rocks, WV, and is less than an hour from the Canaan Valley and Timberline Resort. which took us to the far side of the second rock fin. These fins are part of the Allegheny mountain range, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. If you have a general, healthy fear of heights you should be okay. Via Ferrata in the Dolomites: the best via ferrata treks That said, the Via Ferrata takes place in a wilderness setting which means there are elements of safety that are out of our control: wild animals, sudden changes in weather, or other acts of nature. The views are spectacular and the the fulfilling feeling of accomplishment is like none other. With my oldest daughter all packed up, we made a detour to West Virginia before she headed off to college in Boston for a side trip to West Virginia. Our guides were friendly experienced climbers who were able to instruct many of us in some rock climbing techniques that were helpful for more difficult sections. These allow people to ascend and descend the over one thousand feet of rock surface without the need for technical knowledge or climbing gear. While you're at it, sign-up for our e-mail newsletter and be the first to learn about new events and promotions at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures. Isnt there another VF in West Virginia somewhere, I forgot the name of it. It pays to get to know your fellow climbers a few weeks after our climb, Neil and I exchanged pictures (a much better idea than passing a camera back and forth!). Me, though? Our guide, Brian, greeted us. Many people chose not to do to optional summit climb (another 100 feet up), which consisted of ladders leading up to the summit of one of the fins. It runs near Circleville in West Virginia. Hidden in the knobs of West Virginia, youll find some stunning fins that jut out of the ground. Where: NROCKS is located in Circleville, West Virginia. Join the ADB Community! When: You can book this via ferrata year-round; they run tours every day of the week from April through the end of October, and offer tours Friday-Sunday during the winter months.