Via Ferrata

Anyone done any?

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Damon Heath 2
04/01/2002 at 18:53
Ive been meaning to go the Dolomites for years but something else always cropes up but this time it looks like its on.
A mate as done alot there in the past and as told me a few good routes.
One friend who is going wants to be in the middle of it all such as the Sella group,so any advice would be helpful.
By the way ive many years climbing under my belt so exposure isnt a problem.
thanx
Sally Hotchkin 1
04/01/2002 at 18:59
I thought the Sella range was the most beautiful, especially when I left it. That's not being mean, it actually IS quite striking to look at from elsewhere. It kind of looks like a huge two-tiered cake.

There is another Dolomites thread on the forum somewhere, because seemingly every man and his dog (myself included - not in the dogs...or the men for that matter !??!) went to the Dolomites this summer. I walked from Bolzano to Canazei as we camped in the Valle di Fassa in the end after advice from this forum.

Hold on, let me find it...here it is. I have the Trekking in the Dolomites book on my desk as well so ask away.
Drew
04/01/2002 at 19:49
It looks like a great place to go to. I have noticed also, that Petzl do a thing which youa attatch to your harness, and is recommeded for Via Ferretta. It slows you down if you fall, instead of the standard quick jolt as your krab reaches a bolt. Can't remeber what it's called though!
Damon Heath 2
05/01/2002 at 13:43
I know what you mean Andrew ive seen them b4.
Ive used some of them iron ladders and cables on the way up to the Courvical hut above Chamonix,but at the time we didnt rope up or have protection.Camp make one too.
They stop the krabs from breaking in a fall.
Drew
05/01/2002 at 17:14
And the rope, but that's only in their catalogue, and they'll say anything to get people to buy 'em. Still looks like a good idea mind.
Si
07/01/2002 at 09:06
The Petzel version is called a "Zyper". There are other kinds of energy absorbing devices, not so easy to come across in the uk, but quite common in the dolomites (not surprisisngly!). The purpose of them is to limit the impact during a fall to 6KN (I think) and thus prevent you from breaking your back/neck, or at least thats what we were told.
We also went last year (didn't take a dog, just a mate) and most of the VF's we did were in the Sella. It was absolutely fabulous and we're going again this year, but for two weeks so we can do a bit more and go further afield.
joan collins
07/01/2002 at 10:08
If you're intereested in VF, check out the latest issue of Adventure Travel. There's a huge feature (40-ish pges) covering all the Italian areas, plus guidebook and equipment recs.
Damon Heath 2
07/01/2002 at 18:35
We were told to go the last two weeks in June to avoid the Italian holidays that start from July,what do u think?
I hate having to que for a route or climb...
Jon Doran
07/01/2002 at 19:05
Also there are some links in the links section of the site under Via Ferrata. I've just fixed the one that was broken. Alun, the editor/publisher of AT is a bit of a Via Ferrata fanatic (and a Cardiff City supporter). The mag's not always easy to find, but comes out bi-monthly and seems to be available from major branches of Smiths, also, sometimes, the travel section of Waterstones.

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

Hedgehope Aztec
09/01/2002 at 11:55
As Joan says, AT has a monster 48 pages worth of VF and very good it is too. The main Italian holidays tend to be in August, We went late Aug early September and there was quite a remarkable difference in the numbers of people about between the two weeks, shame about the snow!
As you've got climbing experience go straight for the harder VF routes or, of course onto the 'real climbs'.

It's a wonderful place, the people are very friendly (not much English spoken though) and not a McDonalds in sight!
joan collins
09/01/2002 at 14:00
It should be pointed out that some huts are not open for all of June or all of Sept, so this is worth checking on before you book flights, etc
Damon Heath 2
09/01/2002 at 18:07
thanx :-)
Hedgehope Aztec
17/01/2002 at 11:38
Damon, If you are going to the Sella Group, the Tabacco 1:25000 map 07 'Alta Badia - Livinallongo/Hochabtei' covers the entire range and has recently been updated including the addition of UTM grid lines. Stanfords usually have them in stock (though they are cheaper out there, but at least if you buy it here you'll be able do some planning).
Ian S
28/01/2002 at 21:41
So when does the weather change, am thinking of going 2nd week in September this year?
Hedgehope Aztec
07/02/2002 at 16:17
It's supposed to change later than that, but we had unseasonal heavy snowfall last year in the first week of Sept (first time for 20 years someone said).
But of course the weather can change during the day any day!
Hedgehope Aztec
11/04/2002 at 10:10
Damon,
Have you booked your trip to the Dolomites yet? If you are going to fly there, Ryanair have flights to Treviso for £18 (ex taxes) each way. I've just booked some, for the two of us including taxes etc it's costing £118, I can't even drive up and back to Skye for that! Also have a look at this site for info on accommodation, general info and Via Ferrata.
joan collins
11/04/2002 at 10:15
Cicerone are supposedly updating their VF guide right now (much overdue) so if you're thinking of buying it, might be an idea to hold off until the new edition turns up.
Hedgehope Aztec
11/04/2002 at 10:25
I'd agree the present one is fairly.. well crap, the maps are atrocious (I tend to rely on the Kompass guides). I belevie the new Cicerone edition is supposed to be out in June. Though last year we met a guy in the final stages of completing a guide for another publisher (who's name escapes me).
joan collins
11/04/2002 at 10:28
Was that Tom P by any chance, Mike?
Hedgehope Aztec
11/04/2002 at 10:47
No joan. Tom was very helpful last year and definitely your man for Via Ferrata. I know he has written a guide (unpublished). I tried hard to get a copy of the manuscript off him, but he insisted it now had the same failings as the Cicerone one, out of date. I know he wasn't too happy with his acknowledgement in the present Cicerone guide, he'd rather his name was left out altogether. However he may have changed his mind and deicided to update his guide (along with the web site he was going to produce). He quoted lack of time (like us all), last year he was Via Ferrata guiding for Waymark holidays.
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