try via ferratas + cheapest DIY experience & tips
✨ Ever since I realized Via Ferratas existed, I've been wanting to go and finally the opportunity presented itself when I backpacked the hidden gems of Europe - the Balkans.
❓ 𝗪𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗮
🧗♂It's not quite hiking nor rock climbing, rather Via Ferretas are something of an in between.
🧑🚀 It was first created as a means of travel and 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗿 𝗜, before becoming recreational
🪨 You use steel/metal fixtures in place to aid in your climbing - along with 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 such as harness, via ferrata set with shock absorber, gloves etc (rental for everything in Peja costs 8€/day, a personal via ferrata set costs ~70€?)
❗ 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲:
- 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 while climbing HAHAHA the shock absorber can only take one hard fall, and after that, ... it's not very useful (all the fixtures in place and the nature of it also means if you fall it's gonna b quite nasty)
- It requires a 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 or willingness to overcome fears
- Best to get a 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 for beginners if you're unsure - we didn't because I did a lot of rEseaRcH on how to use the equipment properly and tested the waters first by going up the levels of difficulty
- It helps to have rock climbing experience, but not strictly necessary
✨ 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
Honestly so fun and the staff were so friendly and nice!! I exchanged postcards with them and they were very happy to see us again the next day (we completed almost all the routes they had in Peja in 2 days).
I don't have a fear of heights (instead I probably crave it) but there was a part where I had to exert more eNERGY than comfortable at a very exposed overhang - but still well within limits and made it more fun 🤪
‼️ 𝙋𝙎𝘼 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙀𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙨! (𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚). 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥.
Other relevant posts:
🏕️ Overnight backpacking & camping in the wilderness of Yosemite
🏔️ Hiking in India (and getting very very sick)
🥾 I daresay the most beautiful hikes of my life
🎒 Backpacking the hidden gems of Europe - SouthEast Europe!
𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 ✨
🤡 Bruh why did L8 put a ⚠WARNING over it
I am no professional nor were we supervised by professionals LOL
It's definitely not without risks but overall I still think it's as safe as the usual hiking if done within your limits!!
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⭐ & 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴, 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘰𝘳 @𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙞𝙪𝙜𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 / @𝙮𝙞𝙪𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘰𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮/𝘴𝘰𝘤 𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘖𝘈𝘙 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯’ 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘤:
Via Ferrata routes offer an exhilarating experience, often described as a blend between rock climbing and hiking. This adventure sport began as a means of military access during World War I, evolving into a recreational activity that showcases stunning landscapes. Travelers can find impressive Via Ferrata routes not only in Europe but also in places like Malaysia and Indonesia, making it accessible for weekend trips. When planning a Via Ferrata adventure, it is vital to ensure you have the right gear. Essential equipment includes a harness, a Via Ferrata kit with a shock absorber, gloves, and a helmet to guarantee safety while tackling thrilling heights. Rental options are widely available in regions like Peja, where prices remain affordable at around 8€ per day. Beginners are advised to research extensively or hire a guide for their initial attempts, as the routes vary in difficulty based on exposure, distance between metal fixtures, and steepness. Rock climbing experience can be beneficial but is not mandatory. Always approach this exhilarating challenge with the right mindset and preparation, understanding your limits while embracing the heights. A memorable aspect of the Via Ferrata experience is the camaraderie formed with fellow adventurers and local guides. Many adventurers share their stories and challenges faced on the unique routes, further enriching the experience. So don't hesitate—step out of your comfort zone and add Via Ferrata to your adventure bucket list! You won't regret the thrill and breathtaking views that come along with it.