Via Ferrata - Telluride

Breathtaking POV footage of the main event of Telluride's Via ferrata.
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My friend and I headed down to Telluride, Colorado to traverse a cliff band high above town on one of the few Via Ferrata routes in the United States. The beginning is in honor of Chuck Kroger who died shortly after creating the route due to pancreatic cancer. The fleeting images of my friend are to remind us to reflect on Chuck's contribution to the community. I hope you enjoy this overview of Telluride's Via ferrata. It was a lot of fun to traverse, and I hope I captured a sliver of what the experience is really like. As always, thanks for watching. I'm excited to hear what you think. :) - Chris

[@Featheredprop]

What a great POV, Chris! Although I was reasonably sure that you survived the traverse, my palms were getting sweaty watching the journey. Wow. Also loved the old car shots. Not exactly what I would have expected you to find, but I guess you never know. Thanks for the explanation of the flashing/fleeting images. A fitting way to honor Mr. Kroger, who made this video possible.

[@inspireAson]

+featheredprop ha, my palms got a bit sweaty too if I'm honest. Who knew how much a steel ladder could keep a man on his toes? It was type 1 fun all around. Type 1 fun means it was fun to do and it's fun to talk about. The via ferrata was such a cool introduction to Telluride. Even if you choose to avoid the height, I highly recommend trying to make a pit stop in this cute mountain town someday. :) - Chris

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Very cool, Chris! That looks like a thrilling, scary traverse all wrapped into one. I would love to give that a try.

[@marcocayuso]

It´s a nice video, but it´s a bad example about security. These guys probably don´t know that you need specific gear to protect yourself on a via ferrata. It´s very dangerous to use directly slings or daisy chains to clip on the wires, because in case of a fall you don´t have anything to absorb the energy, and you can really hurt yourself. It´s the same as climbing with static ropes... you need dynamic ones... For a via ferrata you need to use an absorber as the Petzl Scorpio Vertigo Landyard (or any other brand; there are several...)

[@inspireAson]

+Marco Cayuso you're right. It was a risk and we were comfortable with taking it. It's always wise to gain a deep understanding of the activity and make your own choices.

[@joleneleu8925]

Thank you for sharing this video. I don't know if I would ever have the courage to do this but maybe some day.

[@user-bc9mf5gs1b]

Love the video. Nice job. Might try next year.What songs do you have in the background?

[@TomsBackwoods]

Dito Don! That was cool with a healthy amount of fear! Great job Chris!

[@inspireAson]

+TomsBackwoods Thanks Tom, I'm glad I finally made my way down to do it. We had planned on doing it about a year ago, but the weather got nasty before we could make it down. It was definitely and experience I wanted to check off my to-do list. :) - Chris

[@Daniel8802]

Loved this! Hope to see some more solo backpacking trips like in your earlier videos :)

[@inspireAson]

+Daniel McCormick there will be plenty more solo backpacking trips. It's one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend. Glad you enjoyed the vid. :) - Chris

[@ZachdaZilla]

inspireAson what is the name of that song in the beggining? Doing this route tomorrow and want to jam to it

[@mobiltec]

I've flown my hang glider high over that valley and landed in the base ball park. Beautiful place.

[@inspireAson]

+mobiltec Definitely. My short time there made me want to move there. It's a captivating place. - Chris

[@mobiltec]

Is the "Fly Me To The Moon" bar still there? It was like "Cheers" being subterranean and all. My hang gliding friend Luigi is a DJ on the local radio station there.

[@inspireAson]

No the "Fly Me To The Moon" bar has been closed. Not sure if they moved the business or went out of business, but it's no longer there. Hang gliding seems like it would be a lot of fun. How long have you been doing it for?

[@mobiltec]

I started flying hang gliders in 1979... I haven't flown now for about 7 years but thinking about maybe getting back into it. Last time I flew in Telluride was 1988...

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Great video--really impressive feats of daring!

[@inspireAson]

+Evan's Backpacking Videos Thanks Evan! I guess I put a lot of faith in a dead man's work, but I'm glad I did. It was an amazing first via ferrata experience! :) - Chris

[@DonMilligan]

Healthy amount of fear. Wow, such as cool adventure 👍

[@inspireAson]

+Don Milligan Ha, glad you enjoyed the "Healthy amount of fear" piece. I think It's important to keep life challenging and interesting, yet manageable. I really appreciate seeing a comment from you Don. Thanks and best wishes. :) - Chris

[@acet7]

you sir are a very brave man.

[@inspireAson]

+acet7 I just put a lot of faith in the gear and it hasn't failed me this far. I don't like heights until I have a strong piece of nylon making up for any clumsy steps I'll inevitably take. Thanks for watching! :) - Chris

[@RonGallimore]

Awesome scenery but no way! Thanks for sharing.

[@inspireAson]

+Ron Gallimore ha, I wasn't sure I wanted to do it either. There are some moments in life where it's impossible to know exactly what you're getting yourself into. This was that situation for me, but I had a great time and would love to do it again...but then again, I have a weird definition of fun. Regardless, thanks for watching. :) - Chris

[@benzun9600]

ITs really not that bad. I did it without a climbing harness.

[@inspireAson]

Yeah, it’s fairly easy. Personally I think the harness is a good idea, but everyone has a different level of comfort with the risk.