"A via ferrata (Italian for "iron road") is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations. The essence of a modern via ferrata is a steel cable which runs along the route and is periodically (every 3-10m) fixed to the rock. Using a via ferrata kit the climber can secure themselves to the cable, limiting any fall. The cable can also be used as aid to climbing, and additional climbing aids, such as iron rungs (stemples), pegs, carved steps and even ladders and bridges are often provided. Via ferrata therefore allow otherwise dangerous routes to be undertaken without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling and climbing or need for climbing equipment ." -wikipediaLuckily, via ferrata courses are free, but you have to own or in our case rent a harness set and helmet to complete them. We rented ours in a nearby hostel and then headed up the mountain for a picnic.
If you haven't heard, Switzerland is crazy expensive so we brought our own picnic! We did get a really pretty view though for free!
After lunch we headed to the course with our gear!
It started out nice and easy....giving all of us a false sense of pride!
Then it started getting crazy!
As Stephen and I were about to start the exposed area of the course a man came running along and jumped up onto a platform. He zipped up his suit....
checked his camara.....
and then just jumped off the side of a 3000 foot mountain......
while we all clung to the steal cable and prayed our harness wouldn't break!!!!
And we thought we were awesome....hahahha!!!!!
We had a string of waterfalls to cross,
ladders to climb down,
beef jerky sticks to eat,
strange metal hats to put on,
and to save the best for last, swinging bridges 3000 feet up in the air to traverse.
But in the end, we conquered the via ferrata!!!!
We would love to take any willing participants next summer, come and visit!
