Please do not wear sandals of any kind or crocs. Overcome the fear of heights and climb the exciting Via Ferrata and see the West Virginia Appalachians at their finest. The bridge wasnt terrifying. It was a good send off, and also my last chance to cash in on my Fathers Day gift! He wasnt crying, but he was quivering. American expat and cat lover fromNew York Citywho lived inAmsterdam. 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. Yes, I personally wouldnt want to do this in the winter, but Im sure there are plenty of crazy people who do it then! The only real rule on a via ferrata like this is that you must always, always have at least one of your lanyards attached at all times. NRocks Via Ferrata: Rock Climbing Adventure - TakeMyTrip.com During World War Two, these formations were used by the 10th Mountain Division of the American Army. Most of us did not have good cell phone service at all in the area. 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. Hiker who died had unclipped from cable on Colorado via ferrata Your email address will not be published. The darker colored rocks on Angels Landing start to get quite hot around the noon hour during the summer months. Once Jeanne neared the end, and Neil reached the middle, I took my first step. The Nelson Rocks via ferrata is a great introduction to this fantastic sport that requires little equipment. She was pronounced dead at the scene. It is a nice change of pace that gives climbers a chance to leave their rope and rack in the car and climb nonstop for a couple of hours without stopping to belay. Stu eventually sold the property in 2009, which is when Endless Horizons bought it and renamed it Nelson Rocks Outdoor Adventures (which eventually got shortened to NROCKS). America's Best Via Ferratas: 6 Great Vertical Adventures in the USA It's probably one of the most unique activities I've done while traveling in the US. She slipped and fell 150 feet. The Nelson Rocks via ferrata provides your equipment, including the helmut, the harness, and the via ferrata set. I discovered I was in that minority. Guest lounge, hiking, climbing wall and more! More info can be found here: https://www.nrocks.com/ You will be supplied with a harness, a helmet, and guides for your rock climbing adventure. Thats where the final, big challenge awaited. Staff/Guides were outstanding, very safety conscious and had a great sense of humor. NRocksisnt a big operation. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Then off you go, the higher you climb, the better the views! All of our outdoor adventures are amazing, so why pick just one? Suddenly, I could see the other rock fin, the chasm in between, and of course, that swinging bridge. An expensive watch will likely end up scratched by the rocks. AVA built another hybrid via ferrata/adventure course just outside of Buena Vista that opened in summer 2018. Now, though, they are mostly used for recreation. The Downstream OVF Route. The origins of Via Ferrata date back to the 19th century but associated more widely with World War I. My arms were growing weak, and the sweat on my hands was loosening my grip. Bring it to NROCKS with you so you can minimize your time checking in, and maximize your fun on an outdoor adventure! Climbing a Via Ferrata in West Virginia: Crazy Fun or Just Plain Crazy? I aim to inspire people to find ways to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. The course isn't for the faint of heart or those with more than a healthy fear of heights. Weighed down with climbing gear, this hike was actually one of the more difficult parts of the whole day! big_g - Sep 26, 2006 10:28 am - Voted 9/10 21 Sep 2006 Fatality. Look at our package deals to combine activities and lodging. Gnarliest thing I've done on the eastern half of the states. This proposal is in absolute the most flexible and complete via ferrata trekking in the Dolomites! Length 2.2 miElevation gain 1,062 ftRoute type Loop. Music is: M. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Ohio's outdoor sector generated $10.6 billion and more than 131,000 jobs in 2020. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. I first considered Zions east side is often underappreciated and unvisited by many of the parks visitors. Packages - nrocks.com You should wear close-toed shoes that you can move easily in (hiking boots, running shoes, etc.). Check Out the Via Ferrata Feature on Destination Adventure! Photos (126) Directions. (There were also safety waivers involved, though we filled those out before leaving home.). With via ferrata, you are responsible for yourself to ensure that you stay safe in many cases. The rust-red rocks of Arizona's Grand Canyon top many a bucket list - and for good reason. You must be 13+ as well as in good physical condition to climb. So, you think youd have to be insane to be a rock climber, huh? MUST have prior experience on the Via Ferrata at NROC & must be 13 years old or older. I recommend wearing pants instead of shorts as the rock can be a bit sharper and youll want to protect your legs from getting cut up. West Virginia has some of the most stunning landscapes of the Appalachians and has drawn tourists since the early days of the United States (The Greenbrier has been frequented by around half of the US presidents). We climbed up the second fin, and then reached an optional extra climb. The view looking across the hollow, onto the rock fins on the opposite hillside. I am very lucky that Im not really afraid of heights! Haha. There is no doubt about it. Here's 14 People That Fell From Angels Landing: Zion Trail Guide It was a big confidence boost for us all. It consists of cables, bridges and metal pieces drilled into the rock. They were using the Via to train for rescue operations. The most adventurous climbers can take the extra challenge of completing the Head Wall, an additional 100 feet of vertical climbing. A short drive from Nelson, . Really appreciate all the details youve shared, thanks! The two outcrops are. 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. Nelson Rocks Preserve is located at the first dirt road south of Judy Gap (the intersection of WV 28 and US 33, where US 33 arrives from the east). Several times, I had to quickly clip to a rung and go hands-free, just to give myself a rest. The bridge is 150 feet off the ground with a gap of about one foot between the steps. And the photos are beautiful. After this point, youll turn onto the fin. To reserve a Zip, Climb and Stay Package, please call (540) 437-9901 to speak to a company representative. State of West Virginia From a distance, those rocks dont look impressive. Thats amazing! We spoke with an Eastern Mennonite University professor who is familiar with via ferratas. There are less than a dozen Via Ferrata in the United States. These elements include necessity of harnesses, carabiners, shock-absorbing leashes and knowledge . If filling out paperwork isnt your idea of time well spent, download and complete a waiver today! Nelson Rocks is a longer via ferrata located in West Virginia that is 4ish hours. I did this years ago and your pictures bring back awesome memories! Your email address will not be published. I HIGHLY recommend it! Theres a hostel and brewery called Brewstelin Elkins with a homey atmosphere that is perfect for groups. A night out like no other! We regularly welcome visitors from Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina and Washington, DC. I used to live in West Virginia for a couple years and Im so sad that I didnt get a chance to explore muchIm definitely going to have to keep this place in mind! ), 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. Very nice climb. To zip you must weigh between 70 and 250 pounds. NROCKS provides top quality equipment from CMI for all activities! From that time I drove a few hundred miles out of my way to head towards a potential snowstorm. The razorback ridgelines rise some 800 feet above the valley floor. Nelson Rocks, a primarily privately owned rock formation in Pendleton County known as NRocks Outdoor Adventures, has a spectacular footbridge. Your videos and photographs inspires us give it a try amazing scenery! As he reached the top of a cliff face and looked around the corner to see cables and foot holds suspended over a completely sheer drop, he said, very matter-of-factly: Oh well that's terrifying.. It is also a great workout and a spectacular way for climbers to introduce non-climbing friends to the vertical world. Burt, Bonnie, Neil, and Jeanne were from Ontario, and had driven through the mountains every year on their way to vacation in Florida. 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. Required fields are marked *. A fifth cable runs overhead, which allowed us to clip in. Instead of staying clipped into the safety cable, I hooked onto one of the rungs above my head, and let go. I tried to stand, but the sheer drop on either side of my feet left me feeling dizzy. We appreciate and understand the desire and preference of using your own gear if you have it, but in order to comply with our insurance policy, we require everyone who comes to experience the Via Ferrata at NROCKS to use the gear that is supplied by staff.