Again we can thank our travel insurance company for putting the
previously unknown 'sport' of Via Ferrata into our heads, and because
we paid extra to be covered for Via Ferrata we absolutely have to make
sure we experience it!!
Referring back to the "07/06/08 - Ropes, ladders, glaciers and fiords"
blog - our previous experience of Via Ferrata was a little more
unofficial than this one. For a start we actually had a map that
described our track as a Via Ferrata trail, and secondly with the help
of a rental shop we were equipped with safety harness and carabiner
lines.
A quick trip up the Grosté gondola of the Madonna di Campiglio ski
resort, and we were in amongst the Brenta group of Dolomite peaks.
The only downer to yet another superb 360° view was a little misty
cloud just hovering about some of the peaks. Onwards then for the
track named Via Ferrata Alfredo Benini.
The initial part was just a mountain hike across terrain that reminded
us of The Burren in Ireland - a rocky, desolate but beautiful
landscape. We then got into the real stuff - traversing cliff ledges
that are only 30 cm wide in places. The idea of Via Ferrata is that
on these dangerous sections, cables are attached to the cliff so that
you can then attach your carabiner to the cable - then should you fall
the cable should catch you.
To be honest, while looking down was a bit daunting, the first half
was relatively stress free - we would have done this without the
safety gear I'm sure. Although to keep our mothers happy - we did
clip in (half the time). It was daunting to look back to where we had
been and trying to pick out our path - it just looked like a sheer
cliff, but somewhere out there was a ledge that was our path.
The second half was more exciting - firstly we had to deal with the
mist that came and out with a second notice. Once it was in, it could
be very hard to see where the track went (don't worry again mothers -
we weren't on a cliffs edge at that moment). Then near the end of our
vertigo adventure became a real need to clip in. This section of
cliff that we had to traverse didn't really have a ledge to walk
along. Instead we were stepping between little rocky footholds whilst
hugging the cliff, going down ladders that were somehow attached to
the cliff, and negotiating steep rocky paths. Great fun!! Although
unfortunately (or fortunately) nether of us managed to loose control
at anytime to test our harnesses.
The route back was not a Via Ferrata route, but it soon turned out we
were walking down a snow covered glacier!! Poor Marea might argue
that this was more difficult than clambering down cliffs. She then
worked out an easier way - just lose control and slide all the way
down on your bum - then expect me to catch her at the bottom!!!!
Once we were on firm ground it was a race past more fantastic scenery
(like a big rock garden with alpine plants popping up all over the
place) to get back to the gondola for our return trip - unfortunately
we arrived 10 minutes after closing. The attendant compromised and
let us ride to the midway station. From there it was a leisurely walk
down ski slopes and forests to home - pheeeew.
After all that, no one was about to cook, so we treated ourselves to
pizza. After all, we are in Italy aren't we :-)
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