EarthTreks Climbing Competition 2009 from Susanita on Vimeo

When it’s too cold to paddle, too cold to bike, and the snow is scant or nonexistent, it’s time to focus on gym climbing. Rob has been making great improvements in his climbing technique. It’s taken months of yelling at him to keep his arms straight and use his legs to push up instead of pulling himself up with his arms. But there is progress.

Last Friday Earthreks, where we climb, had a bouldering competition and Rob’s coworker Walter competed. I did the video and Rob spliced it together in this very cute video featuring an “older climber.” Special thanks to Brad Sucks, a one man band with no fans, for the music. And yes, I did pay for it!

~Susanita

In September, Rob and I climbed the Via Ferrata in Nelson Rocks, West Virginia. Above is a photo of Rob going up the first section of the route. Most people have never heard of Via Ferrata climbing ... including experienced rock climbers. Probably because there are so few Via Ferrata routes in the United States. But in Europe Via Ferratas have existed for a century or more and to date there are over 300 routes in Europe. In the United States, there are two routes.


Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata from Susanita on Vimeo

So what is a Via Ferrata? Well, Via stands for “Very Intense Adventure” and Ferrata means “Driving Fast like a Ferrari”. Just joking! Seriously, Via Ferrata means “iron road” or “iron way”. A Via Ferrata is basically a long climbing route with permanently fixed cables for protection and steel rungs to aid in climbing.

The climber is attached at all times to a steel cable which runs along the entire route. Thus no climbing rope is needed. Steel rungs, ladders and bridges allow climbers to ascend high, vertical faces and rough mountain terrain that otherwise would only be accessible to experienced, roped climbing parties.

I have been rock climbing since 1998 and often climbed at Nelson Rocks Preserve while the Via Ferrata was being built. Since I was doing “technical” rock climbing with traditional gear and ropes the idea of doing an “assisted” climb on fixed steel rungs seemed like cheating. But the real appeal of Via Ferrata climbing is that it’s a great way to introduce your non-climbing or novice climbing friends to the thrill of high alpine climbing! So when Rob and I started climbing in the gym I thought it would be really fun to take him on the Via Ferrata so he could get a taste for real climbing. He loved it.

Thrills are one of the hallmarks of most Via Ferrata routes and the route at Nelson Rocks is no exception. One of the most exciting parts of the climb is crossing the 200 ft long, 150 ft high swinging bridge. The longest bridge of that type in the world. Definitely a thrilling day ...

~Susanita