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Alps Trip Day 2 - Via Ferrata
By chris dalby | September 25, 2008
We came to the Alps intending to canoe. However, a local Via Ferrata proved too good an opportunity not to miss. If you have never heard of a Via Ferrata, think of it as climbing for tourists. Throughout Europe, there are loads of these setup by either regional authorities to promote tourism to the area, or by commercial operations. The course consists of a fully bolted and cabled route. Wearing a climbing harness, helmet and Via Ferrata kit consisting of 2 slings with karabiners, you can safely traverse the route with virtually no risk.
This is not climbing. The course is made easy by a series of large metal staples allowing you to safely climb vertical and overhanging rock faces with virtually no climbing experience. They do leave out the odd staple here and there, to make life a bit tasty on occassion and to get the heart pumping. Especially at that height. ALso, various bridges and wires, making it look like a scene out of Indiana Jones. There are also a series of zip wires spanning both sides of the gorge at it’s highest. As we were out of season, unfortunately these were closed 
The one we were doing was the Via Ferrata in la Durance gorge, which provides excelent views of the white water river below and the surrounding area. Not for the feint hearted, the Via Ferrata is 800m in length and 250m in height. Quite something dangling at that height off a sheer rock face with a video camera in one hand while holding on for dear life.
If you are interested in doing this, here is a link to the website of the organisation running the course.
Here is the video I shot:
Via Ferrata la Durance Gorge from chris dalby on Vimeo.
I also shot a series of mobile video as it became a bit hairy trying to dangle at that height with a video camera. Even so, still pretty difficult with a mobile!
Topics: Culture, Video, boating |