The Nelson Rocks and some of the surrounding areas (including Seneca Rocks) was originally used by the US Army (the 10th Mountain Division) as preparation for fighting mountain assault troops in Italy. You're not climbing those ladder-like rungs the whole time, but you're using your arms and legs frequently to push and pull yourself up, and your core and feet to keep yourself balanced on lots of uneven surfaces. Italian for 'by way of iron' or 'iron road' the Via Ferrata is a permanently installed system of steel rungs and cables. If filling out paperwork isnt your idea of time well spent, download and complete a waiver today! 2023 A Dangerous Business. Oct 25, 2017 . Once Jeanne neared the end, and Neil reached the middle, I took my first step. On three sides Nelson Rocks is surrounded on three sides by the Monongahela National Forest. Filed Under: Adventure Travel, North America, Travel, United States, via-ferrata. The view from the end of the bridge, looking back after crossing it. This is from last week. No one in our group wanted to bow out, though, and we soon made our way across the bridge a couple at a time. Rocks fall from above and hit you in the head or knock you out, but the most common issue here is equipment failure. Music is: M. This part was the most exhilarating and terrifying bit for me. A healthy fear of heights, as NROCKS officially calls it on their website, is perfectly normal when you're climbing cliff faces and dangling off rock walls like you do on a via ferrata. The area is operated under the name of NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, and was previously known as Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center ( NROC ). Make a reservation today to guarantee a spot on one of our tours! Originally, there were many arches in this area, however these arches eroded over time, leaving the fins that you can still climb today. While they are not for everyone, they are a great option to combine hiking with rock climbing. The via ferrata is one of only a handful in the US and well worth . Length 2.2 miElevation gain 1,062 ftRoute type Loop. Those colors are so beautiful! Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. ), We signed up for a morning tour, and arrived early on an overcast Friday to check in and get geared up in harnesses and helmets. but up close, you realize theyre several hundred feet above the ground. The naturally-occurring route has been there forever; the rungs and cables merely make it easier to navigate it. Luckily, theres a good place to rest and have a bite to eat there while you watch others going across the bridge. We regularly welcome visitors from Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina and Washington, DC. Nelson Rocks, a primarily privately owned rock formation in Pendleton County known as NRocks Outdoor Adventures, has a spectacular footbridge. One of the best via ferrata experiences that Ive had in the US (if not the world) was climbing the via ferrata klettersteig course in Nelson Rocks, West Virginia. Climb to New Heights in Almost Heaven - West Virginia My husband tucked it into his backpack, however taking it out was very difficult. It was a big confidence boost for us all. Yes. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Italian for by way of iron, the Via Ferrata is a permanently installed system of steel rungs and cables that allows you to climb up and over two towering rock fins. Also, wear a cheap wristwatch (or none at all). Taking You to New Height on the Via Ferrata - Destination Adventure Wild Caving is a partnership between NROCKS and WILDGUYde Adventures. San Juan Mountain Guides is proud to introduce the brand new Ouray Via Ferrata (OVF)! Each 6-foot interval at this via ferrata, you reach an eyebolt, detaching one carabiner from the cable and clipping it above the eyebolt and then the next, keeping you securely by the rocks. (There's a visitor center there, as well as a hiking trail for anyone who decides the via ferrata is just not for them.). Via Ferrata is perfect for families, groups or individuals 10 years of age or older. If you are intensely scared of heights, this might not be the best activity for you. After the troopers crossed, it was our turn. One end was to remain fastened to our safety harness, while the other two clipped to the continuous steel cable that ran the entire length of the Via. That brief climb was followed by passage through another notch. ), Check out the monthly Sharp End podcast, based on Accidents in North American Climbing and hosted by Ashley Saupe, We respect your privacy. The bridge is built with four cables. This West Virginia Via Ferrata Is Longer (And Higher) Than Climbers Realize All participants on the Via Ferrata are required to be guided by an NROCKS approved guide. Note: Subscribers to our iPad version can access bonus video and photos for this story. But if you're like me and think this looks/sounds awesome, keep reading! Neil was feeling pretty confident at this point! I'm in fairly decent shape cardio and muscle-wise (thanks, at-home HIIT workouts, and former-gymnast calves and thighs), and I knew I was well within the weight range required for the climbing gear. A small shed serves as its business headquarters. Although they can accomodate people walking in, Id recommend making a reservation to ensure that you can climb. They had always wanted to spend a few days hiking, climbing, and rafting through the Mountain State on their way to the Sunshine State, and now they were finally doing it. At the Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center, the 1750 feet of -inch aircraft-grade stainless-steel cable (tensile strength: 11,800 pounds), the 115 stainless-steel rungs, and the 145 iron bolt hangers. The bridge is 150 feet high and 200 feet across. Check out the license plate sculptures I'm selling on Etsy! Print/PDF map. If you've never seen the phrase via ferrata before, you might be wondering what the hell I'm talking about. Nelson Rocks is a privately owned rock formation in the North Fork Valley of Pendleton County. Via ferrata or klettersteig is a form of climbing where you utilize steel cables that are drilled into the rock in order to climb. What if you could make your way up a mountainside, almost as easily as climbing a ladder? If you blink, youll miss the one tiny sign pointing up the dirt road that leads to the preserve, off WV Route 55 near Judy Gap. Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata: 73 Reviews, Map - West Virginia | AllTrails The Via Ferrata At Nelson Rocks "Via Ferrata" is Italian for "Iron Road" and describes the time of climbing using metal rungs and cables affixed to the rock. The Nelson Rocks via ferrata provides your equipment, including the helmut, the harness, and the via ferrata set. The average Via Ferrata trip times range from 3.5 hours to 5 hours, depending on the size and speed of the group. Its best to make it so that only one person goes across the bridge at a time as a second person can make the bridge move a lot. The temperature tends to be about 10F cooler in the mountains, and may be even cooler due to wind. Many of these original routes still exist today although theyre used for leisure climbing. I just climbed the Nrocks via ferrata with my 13 year old son.
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