MUST have prior experience on the Via Ferrata at NROC & must be 13 years old or older. The premier Via Ferrata in North America. NROCKS Outdoor Adventures is the premiere guided climbing center in West Virginia and the North Fork Valley Region. Many of these original routes still exist today although theyre used for leisure climbing. Almost anyone! I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. The origins of Via Ferrata date back to the 19th century but associated more widely with World War I. We climbed on a sunny day in October and I brought a sweatshirt with me, however I ended up putting it in the backpack after I got sweaty from the exercise. Make a reservation today to guarantee a spot on one of our tours! Our sister company, The Outdoor Learning Center specializes in both with groups of all shapes and sizes. It . A healthy fear of heights, as NROCKS officially calls it on their website, is perfectly normal when you're climbing cliff faces and dangling off rock walls like you do on a via ferrata. Which city has the best rental car deals, and some bargain-hunting tips, Hammond or Hohman? Once the group came back down, we had some more scrambling up the far side of the second fin to do before reaching the end of the course. "Via Ferrata" is Italian for "Iron Road" and describes the time of climbing using metal rungs and cables affixed to the rock. You should expect the journey to take four hours or more. Looks like it would be an incredible experience. These allow people to ascend and descend the over one thousand feet of rock surface without the need for technical knowledge or climbing gear. We climbed up the second fin, and then reached an optional extra climb. For more information, tips, or trip ideas come talk to our friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centre and Station Gallery. But, the climb was incredibly rewarding! Our Via Ferrata tethers allow for at least one connection at all times. Dave Holcomb, Hey there fellow old fart, Gonna be there in October after a trip to Williamsburg with my wife. Each 6-foot interval at this via ferrata, you reach an eyebolt, detaching one carabiner from the cable and clipping it above the eyebolt and then the next, keeping you securely by the rocks. It makes me want to prepare a trip right away! To zip you must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds. North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, High Flying Adventure!! Ive done via ferratas/klettersteige in five countries now. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats. One of the friends has returned with his parents to climb Nelson Rocks again since the first climb. The Army used them to train for planned assaults in the mountains of Italy. But if you're like me and think this looks/sounds awesome, keep reading! . There are two escape points on the Via Ferrata, should you decide you dont want to continue. It was so unique definitely highly recommend it if it looks fun to you! The other two are waist-high, creating handrails. The via ferrata ascends two fin-shaped quartzite outcrops. The ferratas were built by the Army during World War 1. He managed to get through the course, but he said that he was done climbing for good. Please read our privacy policy. The Preserve is . Sign up here to get exclusive travel tips, deals, and other inspiring goodies delivered to your inbox. While these are very popular in Europe, especially in I Chasing. Basically, you affix your two lanyards to the steel cable line using carabiners. Most of us did not have good cell phone service at all in the area. Hes been living the life of a pioneer for several years now at Nelson Rocks, in a cabin that doesnt have an electric light or a flushing toilet. All of our outdoor adventures are amazing, so why pick just one? To subscribe, visit our website at www.wonderfulwv.com or call 800.225.5982. You need to be attached to the rope at all times and you want to ensure both clips are attached to the cable for your own safety. Climbers don helmets and harnesses, and use a set of leashes and carabiners to affix themselves to the cable system as they climb. Our guide, Brian, greeted us. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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. nelson visitor centre. 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!). Never were we supposed to remove both clips at the same time. Its a simple maneuver that was absolutely thrilling. No one in our group wanted to bow out, though, and we soon made our way across the bridge a couple at a time. As a big fan of climbing, my husband and I have done a number of via ferratas in different countries, but I still often think back on one of my first via ferratas in the United States. This is a stunning part of West Virginia (the highest point of the state is only 5 miles away). All you need for this day on the rocks is some physical ability, an appreciation of the outdoors, and of course a desire to have a great day outside! Drive about 1/2 mile and turn left at the NROCKS sign and Yellow House Inn, onto Nelson Gap Road (gravel road). 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. The NROCKS Via Ferrata is a one-of-a-kind adventure experience that includes a mile of fixed-anchor, professionally-led rock climbing. Here are more photos of me, an exceedingly average-looking American woman, successfully doing this course: If this looks fun to you, then you should absolutely try it! When I first saw photos of this via ferrata, I was immediately sold on doing it. They are especially common in the European Alps. Bring your camera so that you can snap some photos of the West Virginia landscape; its one of a kind! Hidden in the knobs of West Virginia, youll find some stunning fins that jut out of the ground. Unforeseen circumstances are just that. Lets start out with a picture taken from a few miles away, atop Spruce Knob, to give you a lay of the land. Thats where the final, big challenge awaited. Visitors from the Northeast region and around the world enjoy adventure vacations at NROCKS. Luckily, theres a good place to rest and have a bite to eat there while you watch others going across the bridge. Ferratas make rock climbing an enjoyable activity that most people with a reasonable level of fitness can enjoy. Brian told us that only about 3% of climbers find the Headwall descent to be the scariest part of the climb. I dont write the death at Nelson Rocks as a way of scaring you, but a way of reminding you that you must remain attached to the cable, follow conventional safety advice, and to listen to the instructions of your guide. There are also rustic cabins for rent for a $10 cabin fee, and $10 per . NOT QUITE THE SAME THING single use material - keeping with the wishes - please press start. The Granite Via Ferrata starts at 8,700 feet in elevation and gains 220 feet in a little more than a mile. It was a big confidence boost for us all. because each plank is spaced 18 inches apart (to decrease wind resistance and weight, Brian told us adding to the thrill was merely a bonus). . 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! Our group started up the first rock wall, getting used to clipping in and out while using the ladder-like steel rungs to climb. Nelson Rocks, in the North Fork Valley of West Virginia, is located just 10 miles south of the famous trad climbing area of Seneca Rocks. From 2017. A night out like no other! I use an army surplus backpack for climbing and always bring my Nalgene water bottle with me! Was that really just a couple of weeks ago? Unfortunately, it was pouring down rain when we approached the head wall, so the slipperiness kept anyone from our group from attempting the extra climb. 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. From a distance, those rocks dont look impressive. This is true for most via ferratas in Europe, but in the United States, liability laws result in having instructors there to monitor your safety. The tragedy happened at an altitude of 6000ft on the Via Ferrata delle Trincee, above Arabba in the Dolomites, a spectacular mountain chain straddling Italy and Austria. A great place to really get out and get some fresh air rock climbing in is the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But don't worry: you don't have to climb back down the fins. Glad this brought back some memories; it was so fun! Tours offered day before, of, and after the Full Moon. Wonderful exact and informative review. If you intend to take photos, I recommend bringing your GoPro as the views are great and its the easiest way to capture stunning photos of the via ferrata without having to stop. Karen. No matter what your skill level, weve got rock for you! 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. The type of mountain climbing Crawford was doing is rare in the United States. The rust-red rocks of Arizona's Grand Canyon top many a bucket list - and for good reason. At this point, unguided climbing is prohibited on the property and all climbing is regulated by the company that owns the property. This occurred while a woman was climbing with the proper gear, but completely unhooked herself from the safety cables while going around a tree. We did one via ferrata known as the Stairs of Death in Ronda, which gave an incredible view of Ronda's famous bridge as we climbed up the sides of the gorge. This is from last week. American expat and cat lover fromNew York Citywho lived inAmsterdam. Filed Under: Adventure Travel, North America, Travel, United States, via-ferrata. Flexible because you can choose from 2 to 10 days of via ferrata trekking. 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). 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. Your email address will not be published. This via ferrata at Nelson Rocks in West Virginia was EPIC! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My harness held all the weight, allowing me to dangle, hands free, on the side of the mountain. The route is considered challenging and takes, on average, just over 1.5 hours to complete, according to Alltrails.com, or between 3.5 and 5 hours, according to the Nelson Rocks website (they also call the difficulty of the route "moderate"). Visitors from the Northeast region and around the world enjoy adventure vacations at NROCKS. Im 41 and athletic, and I did find it challenging. A tourist who fell 200 feet to her death from a "via ferrata" trail in Colorado had unclipped from the safety cable, the sheriff's office said. A few things I'd be sure to bring include: What if I get scared? For many years, this land was privately owned although it was opened to climbers in 1998 after being opened as part of the private Nelson Rocks Preserve. The naturally-occurring route has been there forever; the rungs and cables merely make it easier to navigate it. But now, as I descended the Headwall, it was a necessity. I felt so confident, that about midway I pulled out my camera for a few photos. 91 Baker Street Nelson BC Phone: (250) 352-3433 Toll Free: 1-877-663-5706. As I grew tired on the descent, I was thankful that earlier in the climb, I had become comfortable with whats known as the resting position. The cable is fixed into the rock in sections, and when you get to a new section you have to move your clips, one at a time. Via ferrata is an Italian phrase that translates to iron road or the iron way, and describes a climbing route in the mountains that melds hiking with rock climbing. This place looks amazing! How much: This activity costs $125 per person during the high season, and $80 per person during the low season. With via ferratas, there are typically more footholds for downclimbing as it is more technically difficult as you have less visibility, so that wasnt my favorite moment. . It blends a via ferrata route with zip lines, a 70-foot rappel and a 50-foot free fall. When encountering a tree, you need to keep one clip attached while attaching the second clip to the cable. 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. Nelson Rocks says that climbers need to have "some physical ability.". I experienced a few danger and risky situation but manage to deal with it. NROCKS offers Sport Climbing, Top Rope Climbing, Zip Lines, guided Canopy Tours as well as the Nations Premiere Via Ferrata. Also, wear a cheap wristwatch (or none at all). This is where we came across that exposed section that Elliot found pretty terrifying, but it didn't last long before we had rock under our feet again. There are certain places on the hike where you absolutely must plant your hands on the darker rocks during the climb up or down. #1 - Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata Circleville, West Virginia Length: 2.2 mi This is a guided rock climbing tour on private property. It felt reassuring to be firmly secured to the safety cable. Wild Caving is a partnership between NROCKS and WILDGUYde Adventures. There it is! While this activity might look technical in photos, you don't have to have any climbing experience in order to participate. The Nelson Rocks via ferrata provides your equipment, including the helmut, the harness, and the via ferrata set. It didnt take long to gain altitude again, and leave the swinging bridge behind. 10/20/2022. Isnt there another VF in West Virginia somewhere, I forgot the name of it. Some people like to wear gloves when climbing (fingerless are preferred). The highest part of the climb will be about 300 feet up on the air if you choose to climb to the top of the head wall, but the main route is about 200 feet off the ground. The only real rule on a via ferrata like this is that you must always, always have at least one of your lanyards attached at all times. There was an infamous death at Nelson Rocks some years ago. As each climber ahead of me reached the notch, I heard a wow!, and when it was my turn, I said it too. There are a couple more good viewpoints near the upper end of the Via. NROCKS provides top quality equipment from CMI for all activities! The Via Ferrata runs up, over, and through the two rock fins, which jut out from a rounded, tree-covered hillside. Bring sunscreen with you as the direct sun can be a bit intense if youre higher up! The via ferrata is one of only a handful in the US and well worth . As an Airbnb Associate and Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Just up the road from NROCKS Outdoor Adventures is an area called Seneca Rocks, where rock climbers have long tested their mettle on one such fin. So what do you think? Many sections of the route are un-cabled to add technical mountaineering elements (something Chuck cherished). New Yorkerborn and raised. And I wondered to myself how exactly I had been talked into this. Read the full disclosure policy. Let's back up a second, though. After this point, youll turn onto the fin. the route is touted as the highest via ferrata in the world. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The razorback ridgelines rise some 800 feet above the valley floor. Our group took a break at the end of the bridge, if for no other reason than to give us the chance to work up the nerve. 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. Instead, a via ferrata (Italian for "iron way") is a series of ladders and cables that take you up hundreds of feet of cliffs. The area is operated under the name of NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, and was previously known as Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center ( NROC ). An expensive watch will likely end up scratched by the rocks. Im just a small-town Ohio girl trying to balance a normal life with a desire to discover the world beyond my Midwest bubble. Hope to do it again this year at 73. I take requests! Climbers are connected to steel cables while using the steel rungs and/or rock face to traverse, ascend, or descend the route. The Via Ferrata at NROCKS is a one of a kind adventure experience, offering a mile of fixed-anchor, professionally-guided rock climbing. If you have a general, healthy fear of heights you should be okay.

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