Via Ferrata
The Latest Trend in Outdoor Adventure
At the end of the day, I heard these words, “I fear I have created a monster…”
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A while back, I tried something completely out of my comfort zone. I got back to my adventurous roots of childhood and did something I had always wanted to do but never had the opportunity to do when I was young – rappelling in Zion. Admittedly, it sounds braver than it was.
You see, I signed up for a guided rappelling adventure despite strong apprehensions about my abilities. I remember being so nervous at first, almost sick to my stomach. Would I be agile enough, strong enough, brave enough? Well, it turns out that there was really nothing to it except being courageous enough to try it! Other than some hiking and rock scrambling at the beginning, I was surprised to learn the guide and gravity took the laboring oar. All I had to do was trust the process and rely on her and physics to propel me down!
If I’m being honest, I really didn’t even have to learn the basics. I didn’t need to know how to use my equipment, tie ropes or really do much of anything except enjoy the thrill of the descent and my subsequent adrenaline high. What I did quickly learn was that I had a passion for this type of adventure.
It lit a flame so strong that no sooner was the trip over that I started Googling places near home to do it again. One place kept coming up during my research - Red River Gorge, Kentucky. I immediately announced to my Zion adventure partners that we were headed there next and they were going with me! Not sure if I really believed it at that time, but fast forward a few months later, and here we were, headed to the Gorge!
Only this time I signed us all up for a “Via Ferrata” experience. I wasn’t really sure what it was when I typed in our info and hit submit, but hey, how different could it possibly be from our rappelling?
What is Via Ferrata
Via ferrata originated during World War I in Italy and translates to "iron path.” These pathways were built in the Dolomites to enable troops and supplies to be transported across the steep, normally impassible terrain.
They’re a network of climbing routes lined with fixed steel cables, ladders, rungs, bolts and anchors located at strategic points so people can cross, climb and descend the challenging terrain.
Today, via ferrata is a thrilling outdoor adventure combining hiking, scrambling, and rock climbing that’s starting to become extremely popular in the States. Those brave enough to try it hold on and clip into steel cables and other equipment that have been put in place ahead of time allowing them to reach places and heights they never imagined possible absent laborious instruction and practice.
Southeast Mountain Guides' Via Ferrata
Admittedly, like I said, when I signed up for the Via Ferrata at Southeast Mountain Guides, I was not really sure what to expect. I think I just figured it would be similar to what we had all done in Zion. If I am being completely honest, I really didn’t give it much thought at all. I just signed up. However, upon arrival, I knew immediately this was going to be much more than any of us bargained for.
We checked in at front office where we signed waivers and purchased $5 a pair climbing gloves - something I highly recommend. We then headed out back to meet our instructor and get fitted for gear.
As I walked out and around the side of the building, I found myself surrounded by steep cliffs wrapped around a small body of water in a horseshoe bend. It was a beautiful spot with fall colors despite being such a dreary day.
I gazed up and as my eyes began to focus on the distant rock, I realized I was looking at tiny little climbers lined up along the sheer cliff walls near the top running the course. The course I too was headed for. Oh no!
This is when that all too familiar feeling of fear creeped in, that same sinking feeling I had right before my first very first descent rappelling as I stepped back off the rock.
It was about this time while I was in the process of urgently trying to self rationalize my fear - telling myself maybe it would be like last time and nothing to it - when the instructor appeared, breaking my train of thought. I smiled awkwardly trying not to reveal my inner thoughts of doom.
He introduced himself and took us around the corner where he already had our gear laid out.
He walked us through putting on our harnesses, teaching us how to use the 3 large carabiners clipped to it, explaining all of the equipment in great detail while providing basic instruction on what we would be doing and what we should expect. Just as I was beginning to feel a little more comfortable, he lit off a bomb. Not only did he mention he would not be joining us, he also told us how often they have to rescue people and what to do if you fall. Um, what? Did I just hear that right? Yep, he often has people signal him for rescue.
It’s hard to explain how I felt at that exact moment in time but let’s just say it wasn’t reassuring. So, I dared to ask, “how long does a typical rescue take while you’re dangling there waiting?” The answer - about 15 minutes.
Well, I took a deep breath and tried to find my inner peace and not worry. I was committed.
Now at this point, you may be thinking via ferrata is not for you, but let me tell you how things went before you brush it off completely. The instructor took us over to a practice area that was close to the ground and reiterated what we would need to do.
He reminded us of our lessons and we each took turns trying things out for the first time while he watched and advised.
Here’s how you do it. You have two large carabiners or metal clips that are attached to your climbing harness. You attach one carabiner on the metal cable built into the rock with the opening of the clip facing toward you then you attach the other facing the opposite direction away. At all times, at least one carabiner remains clipped to the cable so that if you fall, it catches you.
Once clipped in, you make your way down the cable walking your feet along metal hooks and bolts anchored in the rock a few feet apart or strategically placing them on natural steps and crevasses etched in stone. When you reach the end, you unclip the first carabiner and re-hook it onto the next, adjacent cable followed by the second one. You then walk yourself down the second cable and at the end, you do this again. Cable by cable you make your way along the rock wall.
There are 5 sections on the via ferrata course at Southeast Mountain Guides, each slightly more difficult than the next. At the end of each section, you have the opportunity to stop and come down before proceeding to the next. This makes it easy to run only one or two courses then stop for the day or come down for a rest. You can also rest on the course. You do so using a third clip that serves as a safety. You simply attach that third carabiner (which has a shorter leeway) on the metal cable, lean back and relax while suspended in air. It’s hard to trust at first but surprisingly, easy once you get the hang of it. Running the entire course takes about 4-5 hours but you can spend as much or as little time as you want.
We opted to start at Section 2 so as not to be right behind another group of people. We took a short but steep hike up to the starting point…a starting point that was pretty high up.
I was third in line, an order that cannot be changed once you commence as there is no passing other climbers along the trail. If the person ahead stops, you stop. I was glad to not be first.
I watched the others go and as they made there way across the first few cables, it was my turn. There was no more delaying the inevitable. The time had come to begin my pilgrimage across.
I awkwardly clipped the first carabiner onto the metal cable. The cold of the steel sent a shiver through me (that or perhaps the fear). It wasn’t easy balancing on my feet while trying to clip in, and the second carabiner was trickier then the first.
Once clipped in, I began a short ascent then headed across the steep, sheer wall of the cliffs - cable by cable, one at a time. It was slow going at first and hard to learn to trust my footing. I had to remind myself to always have three points of contact on the footholds and cables at any given time. After a while, it became easier and easier, not quite so cumbrous. That was until I reached a section where the bolted anchors for my footing stopped. It was now time to trust my upper body strength and footing even more. Something I had not prepared myself for. However, I soon realized that if you trust the process and your abilities, it’s not as hard or intimidating as it looks and before I knew it, we were done and I was longing for more.
There is just nothing like the thrill of staring down into a steep canyon, suspended in air with carabiners and steel defying gravity Something I can hardly wait to do again.
While I am certainly still a novice, I am proud! Rappelling… a via ferrata, what’s next?
Learn More:
Southeast Mountain Guides is located at 1617 KY-11, Campton, KY 41301, and is open daily 9-5 pm, holidays excluded. Not only do they provide the incredible via ferrata, but they also offer private guided climbing and rappelling tours.
WHERE TO STAY AT RED RIVER GORGE
Wondering where to stay during your visit to Red River Gorge? Look no further. I found an idyllic cozy rustic cabin nestled in the Daniel Boone National Forest just minutes away - Cooper Pines, part of The Hideaways collection.
You can also check out other nearby properties from The Hideaways here!
Check out my Perfect Red River Gorge Itinerary!
