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. I decided to tackle the headwall, along with Neil and Jeanne. Nelson Rocks, a primarily privately owned rock formation in Pendleton County known as NRocks Outdoor Adventures, has a spectacular footbridge. If you've ever driven through eastern West Virginia, you may have seen some of the towering fins of Tuscarora quartzite that rise out of the landscape like the craggy backs of dinosaurs. Built in 2002, the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks was only the second of . Oh yeah, I should tell you Im 77. It felt reassuring to be firmly secured to the safety cable. Via ferrata or klettersteig is a form of climbing where you utilize steel cables that are drilled into the rock in order to climb. With my oldest daughter all packed up, we made a detour to West Virginia before she headed off to college in Boston for a side trip to West Virginia. The Via Ferrata is open by appointment only. The Granite Via Ferrata starts at 8,700 feet in elevation and gains 220 feet in a little more than a mile. You need to know yourself. This West Virginia Via Ferrata Is Longer (And Higher) Than - MSN N Rocks offers a wide range of climbing experiences including the Via Ferrata, a bridge suspended 150 feet in the air that spans the two fans of Nelson Rocks. Also go to Google and just put in via ferrata. I got a bit unlucky and I was behind someone who decided about halfway up that he didnt want to complete the climb. The Via Ferrata found at NRocks was the second to be introduced in the United States, and it is one of only three currently in the country. Related: Travel In The Balkans: A Stunning Via Ferrata Launched In Kosovo And Promises To Take Your Breath Away. Youd have to be crazy to trust your life to a little metal clip hammered into the side of a mountain. Built in 2002, the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks was only the second of its kind to be established in the United States and still one of . During World War Two, these formations were used by the 10th Mountain Division of the American Army. I was the owner/GM when we (with a ragtag band of local guides/climbers) built the via in 2002. Burt, Bonnie, Neil, and Jeanne were from Ontario, and had driven through the mountains every year on their way to vacation in Florida. Make a reservation today to guarantee a spot on one of our tours! No matter what your group size, we assure fun outdoor adventure for everyone! You must be 13+ as well as in good physical condition to climb. NRocks Via Ferrata: Rock Climbing Adventure - TakeMyTrip.com The Preserve is . I once again let the Ontarians go ahead. NROCKS Outdoor Adventures is the premiere guided climbing center in West Virginia and the North Fork Valley Region. Yes. > Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata A mountain jungle gym connects two majestic quartzite fins in West Virginia's North Fork Valley. Via Ferrata - The premiere Via Ferrata in North America. Reservations, policies, discounts and specials. Climbers are able to rest while climbing. Some people like to wear gloves when climbing (fingerless are preferred). [] view is amazing and the clouds are scudding on by. Look at our package deals to combine activities and lodging. The climb was a huge confidence booster for my son as well. At Elkins, follow signs to stay on 33 East and onto Rt 33/55 to Seneca Rocks. AWESOME.. Looking down into the gap between the two rock fins, the swinging bridge now appeared tiny and distant, and not the least bit threatening. 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. 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. We climbed up and to the left on the first fin, and then passed through a notch near the top of the rock. Theres not an easy answer. They are especially common in the European Alps. This is from last week. Yes, I personally wouldnt want to do this in the winter, but Im sure there are plenty of crazy people who do it then! Climbing the NROCKS Via Ferrata in West Virginia: What It's Really Like Looking for a challenge? Both Jacob and I struggle with vertigo/a fear of heights and for us, being attached to the cable in the air is exhilarating. British woman plunges 300ft to her death in front of husband during Tackle This Via Ferrata Bridge Suspended Between Nelson Rocks In West but up close, you realize theyre several hundred feet above the ground. Packages - nrocks.com All of our outdoor adventures are amazing, so why pick just one? My husband who had service through Appalachian Wireless was the only one who had a decent connection, so its best to go old school with buying a map or printing out directions before you go. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, a canopy tour (including with zip-lines), and lodging (including rustic cabins). I brought a box of granola bars with me, which was helpful for helping me find the extra energy to climb. As he reached the top of a cliff face and looked around the corner to see cables and foot holds suspended over a completely sheer drop, he said, very matter-of-factly: Oh well that's terrifying.. But, the climb was incredibly rewarding! With via ferrata, you are responsible for yourself to ensure that you stay safe in many cases. One of them really is a Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). Once on the rock, climbers must ensure their own safety by keeping their equipment properly connected to the fixed-anchor systems at all times. . We ended up staying overnight in nearby Elkins (keep reading for where we stayed.). Yes, I really did walk around Gary, Indiana, April Road Trip: Where to Travel in April, Spring Trip Suggestions, May Road Trip: Where to Travel in May and Late Spring, August Road Trip: Where to Travel in August & Late Summer, September Road Trip: Where to Travel in September & Early Fall, January Road Trip: Where to Travel in January & Winter, February Road Trip: Where to Travel in February and Winter, Sunset near Cap Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, Mount Carmel Tunnel & Zions East Side in Winter, Hiking WV-Pike Knob - EdgewiseWoods, Gardens and Critters. Almost anyone! - JRR Tolkien. . Which city has the best rental car deals, and some bargain-hunting tips, Hammond or Hohman? and fun. In all, we only climbed about half a mile up the fins. While they are not for everyone, they are a great option to combine hiking with rock climbing. It can be can downright terrifying at times, but for me, those moments of fear are drowned out by the overarching feeling of completing the route. Rock Climbing in West Virginia to the Scary Swinging Bridge at N Rocks Under perfect conditions, he traversed the entire Via in just 15 minutes. The ferratas were built by the Army during World War 1. It was a good send off, and also my last chance to cash in on my Fathers Day gift! Manufacturers of Via Ferrata kits are frequently recalling equipment to improve it after someone falls to their death. It typically takes from three and a half to five hours to do the entire route at Nelson Rocks, but it can certainly take longer, especially if you stop to . Gnarliest thing I've done on the eastern half of the states. 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. Sign up here to get exclusive travel tips, deals, and other inspiring goodies delivered to your inbox. Thanks so much for this! This occurred while a woman was climbing with the proper gear, but completely unhooked herself from the safety cables while going around a tree. 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. 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. 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. Via Ferrata is perfect for families, groups or individuals 10 years of age or older. (You can read more about via ferrata here.). I first considered Zions east side is often underappreciated and unvisited by many of the parks visitors. 1. You'll find most via ferrata routes/courses in Europe, but there are also a couple in the United States now including the NROCKS course in West Virginia. One end was to remain fastened to our safety harness, while the other two clipped to the continuous steel cable that ran the entire length of the Via. I bought this after my first via ferrata. NROCKS offers Via Ferrata tours, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, and guided rock climbing and caving tours. Via Ferrata : Washington and Lee University Nrocks Profile and History. You can climb in to get a 360 view of the area from the top. If you've never seen the phrase via ferrata before, you might be wondering what the hell I'm talking about. Via Ferrata : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost 28, just 11 miles south of Seneca Rocks. We were approaching hour number five. It was really cool, and I would definitely do it again! TripAdvisor.com, Join the NROCKS family and receive our free Insider's Guide to the North Fork Valley, packed with useful information about the region. Check Out the Via Ferrata Feature on Destination Adventure! NROCKS provides top quality equipment from CMI for all . Rocky hills, heart-stopping high-wire thrills on West Virginia's Via (And, for the record, they haven't had any serious injuries on this course; in fact, our guide Bryan told us he thought the whitewater rafting trip we'd done a few days previously was way more dangerous!). Happily married to Jacob. World's longest pedestrian suspension bridge opens in Portugal. Would At the shed, I paid the $45 fee for climbing the Via, received my safety equipment, and met my climbing partners. I discovered I was in that minority. Those colors are so beautiful! A small shed serves as its business headquarters. 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). Explore Hikes in Nelson BC - Hike Kootenay Lake - Discover Nelson EXTREME VIA FERRATA IN WEST VIRGINIA | NELSON ROCKS - YouTube During this 3.5-5 hour climb youll gain 1085 feet in elevation, cross a suspension bridge that is 150 feet high and 200 feet long, and reach exposed heights of 280 feet. An expensive watch will likely end up scratched by the rocks. In order to do this you must sign up for a guided tour at NRocks. This West Virginia Via Ferrata Is Longer (And Higher) Than Climbers Realize From 2017. Bring sunscreen with you as the direct sun can be a bit intense if youre higher up! You do want to make sure that you're physically and mentally fit enough for this activity before booking. Your email address will not be published. I used to live in West Virginia for a couple years and Im so sad that I didnt get a chance to explore muchIm definitely going to have to keep this place in mind! There are a lot of websites to go to,including www.nelsonrocks. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Before this, though, Bryan gave us a safety briefing, and showed us how to safely hook in to the course. I methodically made my way across the 150-foot-high bridge, swaying between two giant rock formations in eastern West Virginia. What if there were rungs and safety cables already built into the rock? Must be 13 years of age or older and have prior experience on the Via Ferrata at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, *taxes not included in pricing. Print/PDF map. MUST have prior experience on the Via Ferrata at NROC & must be 13 years old or older. For even more info on things to do in the area visit the Nelson Kootenay Lake Toursim website. Check out this 2.2-mile loop trail near Circleville, West Virginia. Ive always wanted to do this kind of adventure, it sounds like a lot of fun! Instead of staying clipped into the safety cable, I hooked onto one of the rungs above my head, and let go. Youll need to climb down a different set of ladders to get back to the bottom. In 2002, he helped install the Via Ferrata drilling hundreds of holes in the hard quartz rock, and then gluing the rungs into place. Try our new Top Ropes program. I HIGHLY recommend it! YES! Via Ferrata Dolomites: customised hut to hut treks in the Central Dolomites. Our group was on the smaller side, which allowed for instructors to stop and help when people were struggling. Instead, you'll hike partway down on a steep trail through the forest, and then catch a ride the rest of the way down in a bus or 4WD vehicle. To zip you must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds. Were sure to have the lodging type that fit the needs of your adventure! But what if you didnt have to carry all those ropes, and learn how to use all that equipment? The temperature tends to be about 10F cooler in the mountains, and may be even cooler due to wind. Heights don't really bother me. Please do not wear sandals of any kind or crocs. Previously, the move had been pure fun. The double-fin rocks provide the unique combination of physical challenge and overwhelming beauty! There is one such route on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park that has been climbed by thousands without incident. This is insane and I cant wait to go! These extraordinary views will leave your jaw on the floor - MSN The Nelson Rocks via ferrata provides your equipment, including the helmut, the harness, and the via ferrata set. Sometimes you think that spot is okay to put your foots, but suddenly its not. We sold the park to new management in 2009, but with the 20th anniversary of the via approaching, I still take pride in our creation, especially when I hear/read of peoples experiences climbing it. The Via Ferrata is open by appointment only. The Via Ferrata trail is 3.5 kilometers, 2.2 miles long loop trail. Tours are offered the day before, of, and after the full moon. I did both the Canopy Tour and Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks on back to back days. After this point, youll turn onto the fin. Glad this brought back some memories; it was so fun! Getting There Nelson Rocks Preserve is located in Eastern WV, off of Rte. No matter what your skill level, weve got rock for you! The man was climbing the steep mountain on August 23 when he fell,. Climbing a Via Ferrata in West Virginia: Crazy Fun or Just Plain Crazy? (Though I will say that my flexibility definitely helped me navigate some of the trickier sections!). No one in our group wanted to bow out, though, and we soon made our way across the bridge a couple at a time. 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. The views are spectacular and the the fulfilling feeling of accomplishment is like none other. Via Ferrata climbers must be at least 13 years of age and must be in good physical condition with the ability to handle the physical challenges of climbing while maintaining tether connections, etc. Italian for 'by way of iron' or 'iron road' the Via Ferrata is a permanently installed system of steel rungs and cables. Access to hiking trails, the via ferrata, and canopy tours at . These elements include necessity of harnesses, carabiners, shock-absorbing leashes and knowledge . After going uphill for about 15-20 minutes, we arrived at the base of the first fin we'd be tackling and basically dove right in. Me, though? When encountering a tree, you need to keep one clip attached while attaching the second clip to the cable. Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via
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