Let our knowledgeable guides lead you on a climbing adventure through the alpine terrain at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Burt, Bonnie, Neil, and Jeanne were from Ontario, and had driven through the mountains every year on their way to vacation in Florida. Amanda Joy Crawford / North Versailles native, victim in rock-climbing From that time I drove a few hundred miles out of my way to head towards a potential snowstorm. Nelson Rocks | DIY Outdoors | West Virginia University Climbers each receive safety briefing, instruction, and equipment fitting on the ground before ascending the rock. Either way, youre going to need a place to rest your head at night after a day of adventure. After reaching the top, take the time to gaze out and soak in the views of Spruce Knob in the distance. One of the most eye-catching attractions along the Via Ferrata is a 200-foot-long suspension bridge hanging 150 feet above the ground below. NROCKS Outdoor Adventures is the premiere guided climbing center in West Virginia and the North Fork Valley Region. There are also rustic cabins for rent for a $10 cabin fee, and $10 per . Our equipment consisted of a helmet, a harness that fit snugly around the crotch, and a rope that looked like the letter Y, with carabiners on all three ends. For the first stage of the climb, we went up and to the left, working our way to a notch in the first fin. . Theres only a handful of them in the U.S., and one of them is located in the hills of eastern West Virginia. because each plank is spaced 18 inches apart (to decrease wind resistance and weight, Brian told us adding to the thrill was merely a bonus). Send me updates and special offers from NROCKS! Rocky hills, heart-stopping high-wire thrills on West Virginia's Via My husband tucked it into his backpack, however taking it out was very difficult. Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata: West Virginia - Breezy Days Ahead The only restroom fulfills the stereotypical assumption many visitors will likely make before arriving in West Virginia. . The remaining hike was certainly the least thrilling part of the day. Canopy tour is a series of about a dozen zip lines which was a blast. I stayed at the Hermitage Motor Inn in Petersburg, 33 miles north of Judy Gap. Complete because you will cross with via ferratas all the central territory of the Dolomites. I put the camera away and didnt waste any more time returning to solid ground. Nelson Rocks is . If you intend to take photos, I recommend bringing your GoPro as the views are great and its the easiest way to capture stunning photos of the via ferrata without having to stop. NROCKS offers Via Ferrata tours, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, and guided rock climbing and caving tours. Some people like to wear gloves when climbing (fingerless are preferred). It . Reservations, policies, discounts and specials. . I got a bit unlucky and I was behind someone who decided about halfway up that he didnt want to complete the climb. One last short hike took us up to a lookout point above both fins, which made our achievement seem even more impressive. Neil was feeling pretty confident at this point! There are no extra reinforcements to keep the contraption from bouncing, twisting, or swaying in the wind. We climbed up the second fin, and then reached an optional extra climb. The premier Via Ferrata in North America. Once the group came back down, we had some more scrambling up the far side of the second fin to do before reaching the end of the course. Nelson Rocks Preserve : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering - SummitPost Ouray Via Ferrata - San Juan Mountain Guides Brian is fanatical about safety, and spent a good half-hour making sure we knew what we were doing. Filed Under: Adventure Travel, North America, Travel, United States, via-ferrata. All you need is a decent level of fitness, and the ability to follow directions in order to use your equipment correctly. During this 3.5-5 hour climb youll gain 1085 feet in elevation, cross a suspension bridge that is 150 feet high and 200 feet long, and reach exposed heights of 280 feet. Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via The age limit is 13 years old. How to Get Here - nrocks.com Now, living inThe Hague, the Netherlands. Reservations are not required for the Via Ferrata, but they are encouraged or "highly recommended." There are less than a dozen Via Ferrata in the United States. A great swinging foot bridge will get you to the last steep section. There are Several camping options available to Nelson, the first is the camping at the outdoor center, which costs a small fee of $5 site fee and $5 night fee per person, per night. NROCKS provides top quality equipment from CMI for all activities! The Nelson Rocks via ferrata provides your equipment, including the helmut, the harness, and the via ferrata set. This memorable experience takes you high above the valley floor, across suspended bridges and along granite walls. Suddenly, I could see the other rock fin, the chasm in between, and of course, that swinging bridge. The course IS physically demanding. The rust-red rocks of Arizona's Grand Canyon top many a bucket list - and for good reason. There is a very tiny sign marking the turn, but youd never see it if you werent looking for it. Let's back up a second, though. It consists of cables, bridges and metal pieces drilled into the rock. There was an infamous death at Nelson Rocks some years ago. I use an army surplus backpack for climbing and always bring my Nalgene water bottle with me! We lucked out with the weather and set off from Pennsylvania with a group of adventurous friends ready to conquer the via ferrata. The headwall was the last big challenge of the day. NROCKS OUTDOOR ADVENTURES - 49 Photos & 35 Reviews - 141 Nelson - Yelp The premiere Via Ferrata in North America. Im slightly afraid of heights but I think (hope) this is something I can manage. The view looking across the hollow, onto the rock fins on the opposite hillside. We ended up staying overnight in nearby Elkins (keep reading for where we stayed.). Does this via ferrata look crazy fun, or just plain crazy to you? Isnt there another VF in West Virginia somewhere, I forgot the name of it. 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. Yes, I personally wouldnt want to do this in the winter, but Im sure there are plenty of crazy people who do it then! As I turned to take the shot down the valley, I unintentionally leaned against the cable at my side, causing the entire bridge to shift. You might even save a buck or two! Definitely worth putting on the to-do list if youre in West Virginia! Lets start out with a picture taken from a few miles away, atop Spruce Knob, to give you a lay of the land. The Via Ferrata found at NRocks was the second to be introduced in the United States, and it is one of only three currently in the country. After the troopers crossed, it was our turn. "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. The naturally-occurring route has been there forever; the rungs and cables merely make it easier to navigate it. (And, for the record, they haven't had any serious injuries on this course; in fact, our guide Bryan told us he thought the whitewater rafting trip we'd done a few days previously was way more dangerous!). The Headwall offers an optional, 100 foot climb, straight up. A small shed serves as its business headquarters. The double-fin rocks provide the unique combination of physical challenge and overwhelming beauty! That brief climb was followed by passage through another notch. The Via Ferrata at NROCKS is a one of a kind adventure experience, offering a mile of fixed-anchor, professionally-guided rock climbing. [6] Description [ edit] Photos (126) Directions. Also have done 1 VF in New Zealand and 2 in Colorado. The Army used them to train for planned assaults in the mountains of Italy. A great place to really get out and get some fresh air rock climbing in is the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata. All you need for this day on the rocks is some physical ability, an appreciation of the outdoors, and of course a desire to have a great day outside! Originally, there were many arches in this area, however these arches eroded over time, leaving the fins that you can still climb today. Reservations, policies, discounts and specials. Estes Park and Colorado Via Ferratas Basically, you affix your two lanyards to the steel cable line using carabiners. YES! PDF I Came, I Climbed, DNR I Conquered WV - Wonderful WV History - nrocks.com Your email address will not be published. They have facilities of their own, but can also customize a day trip at NROCKS to focus on teambuilding. This post details what to expect from the Nelson Rocks via ferrata, where to stay near Nelson Rocks, and our experience climbing the NRocks klettersteig. By direct translation, Via Ferrata is an Italian term meaning, "iron path". Built in 2002, the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks was only the second of its kind to be established in the United States and still one of . Vincent Everett - Riding Coach with Vincent Everett Dave Holcomb, Hey there fellow old fart, Gonna be there in October after a trip to Williamsburg with my wife. NROCKS now operates the via ferrata, their expert adventure guides taking willing participants up and over two of those imposing fins of rock a couple times per day. The bridge is built with four cables. A Via Ferrata is Italian for "iron path" and is a climbing route that includes steel cables, rungs or ladders, fixed to a rock. Via Ferrata - Nelson Rocks, WV - YouTube Sign up to climb the Via Ferrata on the night of the full moon, April October. The NROCKS Via Ferrata adventure includes gear, a short training, and a mile long guided tour. I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. I am very lucky that Im not really afraid of heights! It was so unique definitely highly recommend it if it looks fun to you! It blends a via ferrata route with zip lines, a 70-foot rappel and a 50-foot free fall. Doesn't seem nearly as sketchy as the bridge you have to cross at the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata in West . Drive about 1/2 mile and turn left at the NROCKS sign and Yellow House Inn, onto Nelson Gap Road (gravel road). Fall on Rock, Inadequate Protection, West Virginia, Nelson Rocks Preserve With via ferratas, there are typically more footholds for downclimbing as it is more technically difficult as you have less visibility, so that wasnt my favorite moment. Join the ADB Community! There's no easing into this via ferrata; you start with a vertical climb straight away! With via ferratas, you are supposed to remain hooked in at all times, so you can imagine how deadly a fall can be if you slip from 150 feet off the ground. He wasnt crying, but he was quivering. Via Ferrata - Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Nrocks Profile and History. Required fields are marked *. Length 2.2 miElevation gain 1,062 ftRoute type Loop. The Via Ferrata at NROCKS is a one of a kind adventure experience, offering a mile of fixed-anchor, professionally-guided rock climbing. It . Pricing subject to change without notice. Buena Vista. If you've ever driven through eastern West Virginia, you may have seen some of the towering fins of Tuscarora quartzite that rise out of the landscape like the craggy backs of dinosaurs. Read the full disclosure policy. A few individuals have attempted to establish more via ferratas in the U.S., but most are opposed to this because of the level of destruction it causes to the rock. EXTREME VIA FERRATA IN WEST VIRGINIA | NELSON ROCKS - YouTube Instead, you'll hike partway down on a steep trail through the forest, and then catch a ride the rest of the way down in a bus or 4WD vehicle. Many sections of the route are un-cabled to add technical mountaineering elements (something Chuck cherished). You can climb in to get a 360 view of the area from the top. The very first via ferratas were built as a way to traverse tricky mountain passes, and were most famously used during WWI to help move troops through the Alps. This is a stunning part of West Virginia (the highest point of the state is only 5 miles away). Once on the rock, climbers must ensure their own safety by keeping their equipment properly connected to the fixed-anchor systems at all times. Boating, fishing, RVing, ATVing, and hunting are among the most . My name is Amanda, and I'm a former journalist-turned-blogger from Ohio who's been writing about travel since 2010. I brought my DSLR, which was a bit difficult to climb with. 91 Baker Street Nelson BC Phone: (250) 352-3433 Toll Free: 1-877-663-5706. It can be can downright terrifying at times, but for me, those moments of fear are drowned out by the overarching feeling of completing the route. 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. This via ferrata at Nelson Rocks in West Virginia was EPIC! I'll admit it: I found myself stifling a laugh as I watched back some GoPro video my husband Elliot had filmed while climbing a via ferrata route in West Virginia. and fun. This is insane and I cant wait to go! It was really cool, and I would definitely do it again! As I rounded the corner and climbed through the notch, the view was incredible. While the safety cables continued, there were only a few spots, like this one, that required a brief climb.
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