It’s Saturday afternoon. The mist is swirling around us. Clearing occasionally to provide a tantalizing glimpse of Rigidalstock above. We’re here to climb Rigidalstock’s two superb via ferratas: Rigidalstockwand (K4) and Rigidalstockgrat (K3). We hope that the weather lady was right and tomorrow is going to be a brilliant day. To keep ourselves busy for …
Via ferrata Graustock to the top of Graustock (2662 m)
Barbara and I visited the Jochpass area a few months ago intending to climb the Graustock Klettersteig (via ferrata Graustock). Alas, the peak was covered under a blanket of fog, and we went for a great walk down the valley instead! Despite the bank of cloud that was boiling up along the eastern flank of …
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In a fog … from Göscheneralp to Bergseehütte (2370m)
We didn’t think we’d end up in a fog. But we did. The weatherman, or woman, not sure which one it was, predicted some rain in the afternoon. Barbara and I thought we’d be done with the via ferrata by then, and a bit of rain on the way home won’t do us any harm. …
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Happy on the summit of Sulzfluh (2817m)
Last year, when we climbed the Partnunblick via ferrata, we admired the summit of Sulzfluh with its very prominent cross and contemplated a quick ascent! Since it was late in the day we decided not to. The opportunity to climb it arose when we were scouting for a hut to stay in and Kim and …
Via ferrata La Resgia – airy climbing – amazing views!
The introduction to via ferrata La Resgia and its sibling via ferratas on the Engadin tourism website should be enough to put most people off… or, if you’re an adrenalin junkie, you’ll be raring to go and get your adrenalin kick! You’re short of breath, your arm muscles are burning, and under your feet is …
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Monte Grona – stunning views of Lago di Como!
On the western side of Lago di Como, Monte Grona rises to a height of 1,736 metres. Monte Grona isn’t a particularly high mountain, considering that we’ve just come back from playing in mountains 3000+ metres high. However… it towers more than 1500 m above the lake. Making it a perfect vantage point from which …
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Down the via Normale on Civetta
The climb on via ferrata Alleghesi, which Barbara has since described as one of her favourite outings, was followed the next day by what may have been one of Barbara’s least favourite outings… The via Normale, a grade II (UIAA) climbing route, partly equipped with fixed cables, can be used to reach the summit of …
Via ferrata Alleghesi! Finally!
For three years Barbara and I have tried to get ourselves to the top of Monte Civetta via ferrata Alleghesi. Last year we tried twice. On both occasions we were thoroughly thwarted by severe weather conditions. And the last thing in the world you want when you’re hanging onto a metal cable is for a …
The iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Saturday. Sunny. Clear skies. We decide to do a via ferrata on Paternkofel near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. After breakfast we head off, not realising we’re about to join the rest of Italy (and a few other countries) who all decided to converge on the Tre Cime! By the time we get there the …
Tears on Tomaselli…
Via ferrata Tomaselli was the first via ferrata I climbed, way back in 2004. In the process I discovered that ferratas are a whole lot of fun! So the next year I came back, this time with an itinerary that included some top grade ferratas! And in the years since I’ve dragged my friends along, …