Via Ferrata for Advanced | Tips for Challenging Via Ferrata Climbs

Get to know what you should consider when climbing more challenging via ferratas and how to plan those tours ideally. More information on via ferratas in Tyrol: www.tyrol.com/t...
Important know-how for more challenging via ferratas brought to you by our alpine guide Christoph Pfeifer from Galtür.
You already have some experience of rope climbing in the mountains? Get some advice on things you should always have in mind when preparing and being on via ferrata climbs for experienced climbers:
- Time management: Always calculate enough time for your descent and be sure to have enough energy resources left for it!
- Partner check: Always check each others equipment!
- How to handle fear: Techniques to overcome fear & tips on how to behave when the route gets too steep.

[@Toopa88]

My main concern with via ferratas (and hiking in general) are the spots where you can fall to your death if you slip. I'm not confident walking on dangerous terrain. I wonder how you acquire the skill of safely walking on dangerous terrain not worrying about your safety/life. It feels like there's no way around it other than hiking semi-dangerous routes to get experience and a feeling for it. Not long ago, I did a beginner friendly via ferrata but even there you could severely injure yourself if you slipped in an unfortunate way when you are disconnected from the steel rope. It doesn't help that I'm afraid of heights either.

[@tirol]

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. You are not alone with your concern! Many beginners are afraid of falling or hurting themselves, but a certain amount of respect is part of mountain sports and is better than being too carefree. Hiking and especially climbing require experience, a sense of one's own limits as well as knowing the environment. You are right, the sense of safety is gained step by step by doing beginner hikes and steadily improving your sure-footedness as well as your concentration. It can also help to book a guide who will walk the hike or via ferrata with you. Having an expert by your side can have an extremely positive effect on your sense of safety on the mountain and at altitude. One last tip, if you are afraid of heights, keep your head up! 😉🆙

[@kristinrokos5483]

Hello, I love the video and I’m wondering if you could make another video elaborating on a questions that I have. I have done many via ferraras, so I’ve got the knowledge as to how to handle them when ever goes great. I now have enough knowledge where I’m starting to ask bigger questions; like how I would go about salvaging a fall should it happen to me or someone in my party. Say you were crossing a cable bridge and you take a fall. You are now hanging below or off to the side of the cable. How would somebody aid them in a rescue? How about below The rungs on an overhanging cliff? I am guessing for that one a long rope that could be tied to a person to pull them back across the bridge would work for that scenario, but do not know how I would get myself or somebody op should they fall below rungs on an overhanging cliff/so that they are hanging in mid air below anything to hold onto and pull themselves back up. It seems to me that I am missing some knowledge, as well as pieces of equipment that I would need in the case that this happens. There are probably many other scenarios which I have not even contemplated, that would take some knowledge to help someone who has fallen, safely return to the via Ferrara route. additionally, after a fall, I am assuming that the safety equipment will not work appropriately for a second fall, should someone be unlucky enough to have that happen. Does this create a situation in which you would need to get off the via Ferrara as soon as possible because a second fall would be extremely bad? Thank you! I would love to see a video on this topic.

[@tirol]

Dear Kristin, thank you very much for your detailed feedback and your notes.🙏 Safety and the knowledge to help others along the via ferratas is very important and should not be left out.💯 We will forward your feedback to the responsible department at our firm. We also highly recommend the website of Climbers Paradise 🙂: www.climbers-paradise.com/en/

[@DustyRobertson]

Ah yes "Advanced"

[@tirol]

Is this climb too easy or too difficult for you?

[@jazzmouse2498]

You could just start doing normal climbing and it’s a lot better for the rock and less harmful on the environment than this.

[@luispittairline339]

How comes that a via Ferrata is harmful for the environment?

[@jazzmouse2498]

@@luispittairline339 The act of bolting all of the steal into the rock not only damages the cliff face by means of possible chipping and cracking, but the heavily increased amount of human foot traffic through those specific areas also damages the more fragile mountain ecosystems.

[@luispittairline339]

@@jazzmouse2498 but these arguments can also be applied to bolting a normal sport climbing route. The increased traffic can also be applied to bouldering, and it could be argued, that it increases awareness for the need to protect the mountain eco system.

[@jazzmouse2498]

@@luispittairline339 I agree with what you are saying and it’s why I trad climb instead of using bolted routs. I don’t think it’s aiding to mountain awareness though as the accessibility for someone with no prior experience to be able to climb a mountain with relative ease appeals more to tourism than conservation.

[@djayers]

@@jazzmouse2498 more people enjoy themselves?