NuclearNed's weekend at Nelson Rocks, WV - Via Ferrata

[NuclearNed]

via ferrata (wiki)

NROCKS.COM (the owners of the via ferrata)

If you live anywhere within a few hours' drive of Circleville, WV, you must do this!!! My usual gang of climbing buddies & I did the via ferrata with NRocks this weekend. It was fantastic fun, relatively easy (but highly exposed) climbing. A lot of climbs don't scare me much anymore, but I got shaky hands & Elvis legs twice on this route - as true a reading of the fun meter as I have ever seen.

Sorry about the quality of some of the pics - it was a humid day and my lens fogged up a little. I cleaned it as soon as I realized... Also, there's only like 2 pics of me. I'm the designated photographer, so I rarely get any shots of myself. I led the climb followed by my 3 buddies, followed by the guide, so most of the pics are of my good friend Doug. It's ok - he's the freakin' Marlboro Man (i.e. very photogenic in outdoor pics)

All of NuclearNed's pics from Nelson Rocks

 

[zzuupp]

Looks real fun! I've been kinda close to there on a road trip that involved US 33 from Elkins to Harrisonburg.

Humid? In WVA, unpossible.

 

[NuclearNed]

Looks real fun! I've been kinda close to there on a road trip that involved US 33 from Elkins to Harrisonburg.

Humid? In WVA, unpossible.

It's very close to Harrisonburg. We took I26 north to Harrisonburg, then drove through uncharted lands for about an hour to get to NRocks.

 

[dullard]

Via Ferratas are great. How long did this one last? I've really enjoyed ones that were 4 to 6 hour trips.

Sépaq - File d'attente

www.sepaq.com

viaferrata – Aventurex.ca

aventurex.ca

The one hour Via Ferrata was fun, but really left me wanting more.

Colorado Via Ferrata - Granite | AVA Rafting

Discover the Colorado Via Ferrata, an adrenaline adventure in the Arkansas River Valley! Book your mountaintop climb now for thrills and stunning views.

www.coloradorafting.net

Photography is hard on them. I am terrified of heights, so I was only willing to take out the camera on places that felt the most stable. But of course those were the places that were the least exciting photos.

 

[ElFenix]

solid nope for me

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Yeaaaaaahh... fuck that.....

I did my tandem skydiving, I'm good for life yo.

 

[shortylickens]

Several times I have gone to Harrisonburg then straight west thru Amish country, up to Reddish Knob for a day of off-roading. Camped out one night.

 

[Spacehead]

Glad you had fun but that's not for me.

 

[NuclearNed]

Via Ferratas are great. How long did this one last? I've really enjoyed ones that were 4 to 6 hour trips.

Sépaq - File d'attente

www.sepaq.com

viaferrata – Aventurex.ca

aventurex.ca

The one hour Via Ferrata was fun, but really left me wanting more.

Colorado Via Ferrata - Granite | AVA Rafting

Discover the Colorado Via Ferrata, an adrenaline adventure in the Arkansas River Valley! Book your mountaintop climb now for thrills and stunning views.

www.coloradorafting.net

Photography is hard on them. I am terrified of heights, so I was only willing to take out the camera on places that felt the most stable. But of course those were the places that were the least exciting photos.

It took us about 3 hours to complete. The NRocks site says 3-5 hours, depending on the abilities of the group. We're all experienced climbers, and we took a relaxed pace.

 

[kt]

My answer is the same for rock climbing and sky diving. The only reason I would jump off a plan is if my life depended on it.

 

[dullard]

My answer is the same for rock climbing and sky diving. The only reason I would jump off a plan is if my life depended on it.

A Via Ferratta is halfway between hiking and rock climbing. Meaning that a Via Ferrata it is far safer than rock climbing.

With rock climbing, you often have nylon rope, temporary attachments in questionable rock, attachments might have a quick inspection if you remember, with the attachments spaced maybe 10 to 20 feet apart (meaning your fall could could be up to 40 feet if you fall just as you are putting in the next attachment even if the rope holds). With a Via Ferrata, you have a continuous metal rope, inspected daily, permanent attachments in solid rock, and the attachments are rarely further than 6 feet apart (meaning the greatest fall could be about 6 feet).

The only real risk is if you, personally, detach both of your safety devices at the same time and then fall.