{"id":66076,"date":"2023-06-07T08:31:09","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T14:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=66076"},"modified":"2024-02-05T11:52:32","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T18:52:32","slug":"via-ferrata-colorado-guided-mountain-climbing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/via-ferrata-colorado-guided-mountain-climbing\/","title":{"rendered":"Try a via ferrata for a thrilling Colorado mountain climbing adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>
\"A
Via ferrata mountain climbing courses in Colorado offer exciting adventures with stunning views. Here, a teen climbs the Estes Park Via Ferrata with views of Rocky Mountain National Park in the background. Photo by Dan Gambino, courtesy of Kent Mountain Adventure Center Guides.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Do you love rock climbing and reaching mountain summits with unparalleled views?<\/p>\n

Do exposed trails, lofty heights and sheer drop-offs rev you up rather than leaving you shaky and afraid?<\/p>\n

Then a via ferrata in Colorado might be for you.<\/p>\n

What, you might ask, is a via ferrata?<\/p>\n

Good question. These are the newest types of guided mountain-climbing adventures that are booming in popularity in Colorado and around the world.<\/p>\n

Assisted by guides, participants navigate vertical obstacle courses. They wear climbing harnesses and helmets and clip locking carabiners into steel cables and bolts while crossing rivers, soaring on zip lines and ascending metal rungs hammered into cliffs.<\/p>\n

The phrase via ferrata comes from Italian and means \u201ciron path.\u201d<\/p>\n

Via ferrate (in Italian) or via ferratas, as they\u2019re known in English, became popular in Europe decades ago. That\u2019s because soldiers used ropes and fixed bolts, cables and pegs set in cliffs to climb Italy\u2019s rugged Dolomite Mountains during World Wars I and II. After the wars, adventurers began using the iron fixtures to explore vertical climbing routes.<\/p>\n

Now the via ferrata craze has caught on in the U.S.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to give a via ferrata a try, here are some courses in Colorado:<\/p>\n

Ouray Via Ferrata, Ouray<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Try
Try a via ferrata in Colorado if you’re interested in a guided mountain climbing adventure. Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Ouray Via Ferrata.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ouray Via Ferrata is unique in that it’s one of only a handful of via ferratas in the world that is free for experienced climbers. The Ouray Via Ferrata is publicly owned by the town of Ouray and managed by the nonprofit Friends of Ouray Via Ferrata<\/a>, which raised funds to open the attraction.<\/p>\n

Inexperienced users must rent equipment and hire guides <\/a>since mistakes on the course can be deadly.<\/p>\n

The Ouray course currently features two routes: one heading downstream above the rushing Uncompahgre River, and the other heading upstream.<\/p>\n

The downstream route begins near another of Ouray\u2019s famous attractions: the Ouray Ice Park<\/a>. Via Ferrata adventurers cross the river on a cable, then navigate rocky traverses, narrow ledges in the cliff and hand-to-hand climbs. The upstream via ferrata route is more challenging and is recommended for experienced climbers who want to test themselves on an array of obstacles in the Uncompahgre Gorge.<\/p>\n

The Ouray Via Ferrata is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May through the end of October. Climbers weighing less than 88 pounds or more than 265 pounds must use a supplemental belay system. Both routes are one-way only.\u00a0 Learn more about the Ouray Via Ferrata rules.<\/p>\n

Cave of the Winds Mountain Park Via Ferrata, Manitou Springs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Climbers at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park Via Ferrata<\/a> join a guide to explore the limestone cliffs and mountain paths high above the red-rock canyon at Cave of the Winds.<\/p>\n

Inexperienced climbers are welcome as guides and a safety harness system keeps adventurers on course. Sturdy hiking footwear is required. Participants must be age 12 and older and weigh less than 260 pounds.<\/p>\n

Granite Via Ferrata, Buena Vista <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Located in southern Colorado\u2019s famous river rafting town of Buena Vista at the base of Colorado\u2019s stunning 14,000-foot Collegiate Peaks, Granite Via Ferrata<\/a> provides cliffy challenges and views of both mountains and the Arkansas River valley.<\/p>\n

During the 3-hour tour, participants navigate a combination of ladders, rungs, bridges and steps carved in rock. Participants must be at least 12 years old and weigh less than 250 pounds.<\/p>\n

Estes Park Via Ferrata<\/h2>\n
\"Climbers
Climbers ascend a cliff at the Estes Park Via Ferrata. Photo by Dan Gambino, courtesy of Kent Mountain Adventure Center Guides.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Located east of Estes Park, the Estes Park Via Ferrata requires guides from the Kent Mountain Adventure Center.<\/a><\/p>\n

Adventurers get to enjoy a route known as The Peregrine Arete on the Deville rocks. The ascent begins in a rocky gully on the side of a cliff. Inexperienced climbers who are physically fit are able to do the via ferrata, which scales a 600-foot cliff.<\/p>\n

During the ascent, climbers can enjoy views of Rocky Mountain National Park to the west.<\/p>\n

Check out the video.<\/p>\n