The Ouray Via Ferrata

The Ouray Via Ferrata
Yes, Ouray recently opened a via ferrata. And it's awesome!
The Ouray Via Ferrata is located just north of Ouray, Colorado in a beautiful canyon. As if you needed more scenery, there's also a stream right below you for the whole trip. The via ferrata is extremely well built, featuring a tightrope, suspended bridge and plenty of sections where you climb straight up the rock.
You will need specialized gear, namely a climbing/canyoneering harness, a helmet, gloves and a via ferrata lanyard. Otherwise, standard hiking clothes, shoes and backpacks will do the trick.
If you don't have experience doing a via ferrata, you don't have the gear or you just aren't comfortable doing it alone, get a guide. We used Basecamp Ouray and I can't recommend them enough. Our guide, Xander was awesome. Here's a link to their website: basecampouray.com/
Also, please consider donating to the Ouray Via Ferrata itself. You can give cash at drop boxes at the via ferrata, or go to their website; ourayviaferrata.org/
They were kind enough to build the thing and let us use it for free. But it didn't build and it won't maintain itself.
The via ferrata is under 2 miles long. We took about 1 hour 45 minutes to complete it, taking our time and enjoying ourselves.
It's fun. It's exciting. And the scenery is beautiful. If you're ever in Ouray, check out the Ouray Via Ferrata.
Oh, and when you're done and you want something to eat, check out Maggie's Kitchen in town for the best burgers around.
Enjoy!
Filmed on Gopro 8.
Music from Epidemic Sound.
Blues or Something Like That - Tigerblood Jewel
Cross my Heart and Hope to Die (oomiee remix) - Martin Carlberg
In and Out of Love (Tigerblood Jewel remix) - Martin Hall

[@Dirtbag.G]

Awesome as always!

[@JohnPaul-ts8dq]

Awesome. Well done. 👍👍

[@tytraveling917]

Another great video, thank you. Another thing to put on my list when I visit Colorado.

[@jerrywitt4707]

many thanks for all of your Valuable videos ...you do a great comprehensive job and practical approach to the outdoors!!!!

[@loricollins3163]

That looked awesome!

[@garyives1218]

Wow. Thanks for nicely capturing and sharing this intriguing experience

[@sfar-gaminglounge1563]

Super pretty, looks very intense to climb. Amazing shots !.

[@walkitoffarizona887]

Another good great one !! Saw the Teluride one and was amazed this one looks crazy . Very cool !

[@bspoynter]

Good video. I am planning on traveling to Colorado at the end of July. I was planning on doing the via Ferrata in Telluride, but now I am torn. They both look like a lot of fun.

[@JerryArizona]

They're definitely more fun. Ouray is really cool that it's along the river. I just liked that scenery. And the bridge was nice. It's also newer and over built so it feels...safer. The Telluride one has the main event though. And sections without cables. It seems more rugged and...scarier. Add the waterfall in the background and it's tough to beat for views. Personally, I like the Telluride via slightly better, but it's hard to go wrong with either. There is also a newer one in Ouray called Gold Mountain that goes by/through an old mining site and has a HUGE bridge (that kinda freaked me out). Haven't been to that one a while, but I believe it's guided only through Basecamp Ouray. They're a great outfit and highly recommended as well. (I have a video up on that one also.)

[@dawnshields4134]

Great video! Planned on going this week and the weather didn't cooperate...hope we get to in the future! Love all your vids AZ!

[@ActiveAlexis]

Nice!! We've done the one in Telluride & I've been talking about the one in Ouray ever since then!!

[@monicaausnit]

I discover all these dope places I’ve never heard of with your videos. I would love to try this. 😎

[@JerryArizona]

It's so much fun. The one in Telluride is a blast as well.

[@garyives1218]

....and I tell my AZ hiking buddies that for every cool hike I've heard of Jerry has done a video for :)

[@JerryArizona]

Hah! That's the goal.

[@framebrain]

Wonderful Via Ferrata. I had a slip and my lanyard saved me - I took the bailout point and yes, it was still a long trek. I am looking forward to going back in 2021 or 2022. Amazing

[@OutOfThisVan]

This looks awesome! We want to do this next time we pass by Ouray. Thanks for inspiring us.

[@JerryArizona]

Look into the Telluride via ferrata too. They're both awesome.

[@tbonejones1427]

Amazing Video, I Have Been To Ouray Many Time But Had No Idea About This!!!!!

[@JerryArizona]

Think they just opened it this year. It's really new.

[@triathoner50]

Did this a year ago, and it’s just simply awesome! Thanks for posting a video!

[@JerryArizona]

Done the Telluride one too. Both are a blast.

[@climbjt]

My wife and I where technical rescue climbers in Joshua Tree National Park, for eight years. That being said, this still looks like a hella lot of fun

[@all-to-Him-I-owe100]

Oh this and the telluride were such good videos. Tina is a boss! My husband and I are going in July - def will use a guide - I am thinking Ouray Via Ferrata looks a little more secure (for lack of a better term) and the fact that Tina panicked on the main event makes me a little squeamish about telluride too…also all the exposed non-clipped in parts freak me out a little on the Telluride one…for a first time Via Ferrata adventure would you say Ouray? We have done minor indoor rock climbing and some bouldering (we did Flat Iron in Arizona after watching y’all’s video - but we got off course - that was rough, but a lot of fun)! Also meant to tell you I really appreciate your content! So many fun adventures! We have done a few after watching your videos!

[@JerryArizona]

That's awesome. Thank you! I would definitely recommend Ouray first. It's newer and has protection the entire route if I remember correctly. Telluride gives more of a feel like a few climbers sat around one night and said "hey, let's put a route up there' and then just went out and did it. A lot more exposure. Personally, I like Telluride better, but they are both great.

[@jamiepizz]

Great video! I was just in Silverton doing the Highland Mary Trail and missed out on Ice lake because of some weather coming in. I'm definitely heading back that way at some point and checking this out too. I wish I had known it was up there.

[@JerryArizona]

Yeah, they just opened it this year. Those via ferratas are so much fun.

[@CyclingScoots]

Great video! Did the Telluride and Royal Gorge one. Now need to do this! And GoPro really needs to fix their cameras 😂

[@jrlong3490]

I love Ouray. Friends of mine have done the Via Ferrata a couple of times this Summer so I need to try it on my next trip. No cold beer with that burger? Ouray Brewery has a very good burger as well, and Beer! Thanks for sharing and safe travels.

[@JerryArizona]

We did Blue Lakes Pass after this, so no beer yet. Ouray Brewery is good too, for sure.

[@AllSwartzOfAdventure]

Great info! Thanks! -N

[@volatipoet]

A friend got me into this months ago, I do it regularly now. Rent the equipment in town, the bungees or lanyards are specially made for this activity. Great overall workout.

[@JerryArizona]

If you do it enough, might be worth looking into buying gear. I have a climbing harness (forget the brand, but it was $35~45) and a legit via ferrata lanyard (Black Diamond or equivalent) is $150~175. If I were closer, I'd invest in the lanyard for sure. The via ferratas are so much fun and definitely a great workout.

[@WelcometoRJOURNEY]

We Love Via Ferrata's! We have completed Telluride, Ogden UT (twice), Red River Gorge KY, and Nelson Rocks WV (twice) .....going to add this to our list soon !!!

[@JerryArizona]

Didn't know about the Ogden Via Ferrata. Your comment made me add it to the list. Thanks!

[@WelcometoRJOURNEY]

@@JerryArizona We think the Ogden Via is one of the more difficult ones we have done. There is a good amount of exposure at high altitude. Also - we left off the Via at Cave of The Winds in Colorado Springs. It is also pretty new.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Great info thanks!

[@JerryArizona]

Check out the Telluride via as well. The guys who helped build this one also recently opened a private via called Gold Mountain Expedition also. They're all a great time.

[@tenabar4555]

You make everything look so doable! Thanks from my armchair.

[@walkitoffarizona887]

Jerry have you seen the via Ferrata in Switzerland? Look it up . Switzerlands longest vis Ferrata -solo climb. I would love to do it !

[@bernardcrane750]

An " E ticket " hike for sure.

[@Cowdog3]

Great videos! Do you guys train for your hikes ? Any info would be great. You videos are inspiring

[@JerryArizona]

Not nearly enough. Sometimes when it's a tougher one. We're usually weekend warriors though. I'm able to keep up so far as long as I get out almost every weekend and hike. Seems the best prep for hiking and backpacking is to hike and backpack. Although when I do find the motivation to work out during the week it makes a huge difference. Just a stair stepper, walking up and down stairs or even just stepping up onto a box (alternating feet.) I used to be a gym rat, but haven't had the time or motivation lately. But the more you exercise the easier it is, especially focusing on exercises where you're walking up and down things. If you have trails nearby with elevation gain and loss, that's the best. And the more you workout, the better.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Very well put together! Man that must have been a pain to shoot and edit! So how did this one compare to Telluride?

[@JerryArizona]

Not too bad; more like my canyoneering vids than a hiking one. Ouray is newer, more overbuilt, more physical; sections you're climbing straight up, the tightrope, the bridge....and right next to/over a beautiful creek. Telluride is higher up and has 'the main event', as well as the waterfall on the other side of the canyon. I really like them both and they're pretty different.

[@matthewsresilientways]

Welp, one more thing added to my to do list! :)

[@JerryArizona]

Those via ferratas are an absolute blast.

[@misterz2719]

U wonder what they do if someone gets scared and stops , sure it happens, but u guys did a great job, sure u were tired after.

[@JerryArizona]

There are bail out points, but they're pretty far in. I'd definitely not recommend if you're afraid of heights; you'll have to power through a good ways before you can get out, like it or not.

[@nwtkd5753]

Hey guys now that you've done the via ferrata at both Ouray and Telluride which did you find more challenging?. I did Telluride last August and want to do another but I want it to be equally challenging

[@JerryArizona]

I think Ouray may be slightly more challenging physically. There are more 'ladders' where you're climbing straight up.

[@nwtkd5753]

Thanks, can't wait to see more of your vids!!

[@iswatman]

Question for Tina; How tall are you? My wife is only 5' tall. Are the steps close enough together for a short person?

[@JerryArizona]

She's 5'-5". The steps aren't that far apart. I think your wife will be fine. Having the via lanyards mean you're always clipped in which helps a lot with the confidence. Tina prefers having a guide, which I recommend if you don't have climbing/canyoneering/via experience. She's had a moment where she froze on the Telluride via and I had to walk her through it, but if she hadn't been able to power through it could have been a problem. The guides are trained for those situations where I am not.

[@epicsave635]

Dumb question but where is this?

[@JerryArizona]

Ouray, Colorado. Right at the edge of town.

[@joshuajones2511]

Do you like Arizona or Colorado better, once I saw the San Juan’s I knew Arizona wasn’t the best for me

[@JerryArizona]

Actually, I'm partial to AZ. I love the desert. But that may be because I've moved around a lot and never saw anything like it before. Tina prefers the mountains and pine trees since she grew up here. I like to be able to visit both. And Utah....Man, I love Utah too.

[@joshuajones2511]

@@JerryArizona I recently hike Timpanogos, it's pretty up there but I would really like to see the uintas one day. Southern Utah is also pretty

[@stevenromaniecki7419]

You forgot to mention that you should wear gloves . Preferably fingerless.