From that time I drove a few hundred miles out of my way to head towards a potential snowstorm. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats. Have to give it a try some time when Im looking for something crazy! Climbing the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks. This memorable experience takes you high above the valley floor, across suspended bridges and along granite walls. Your review is great for those wanting to try it. Like Seneca Rocks, Nelson Rocks were used as a training ground for the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division in the early 1940s and an estimated 75,000 pitons are still to be found hammered into the rock. NROCKS says the course can take anywhere from 3.5-5 hours on average, and our group finished in about 4 with a couple short breaks for water/snacks. How much: This activity costs $125 per person during the high season, and $80 per person during the low season. There it is! Guest lounge, hiking, climbing wall and more! Theres a hostel and brewery called Brewstelin Elkins with a homey atmosphere that is perfect for groups. Steel cables, handles, and ladder rungs are installed in places where the trail steepens. Come out, strap in, and hang on for a wild ride. Instead of staying clipped into the safety cable, I hooked onto one of the rungs above my head, and let go. Either way, youre going to need a place to rest your head at night after a day of adventure. If you've never seen the phrase via ferrata before, you might be wondering what the hell I'm talking about. Climbers are faced with several vertical rock faces, and you reach an elevation of about 1000 feet (though you're usually never more than about 250 feet above the actual ground). These fins are part of the Allegheny mountain range, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. Once you turn the corner, youre 150-200 feet up in the air with a sheer drop along the cliff face with good foot and hand holds. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere with very spotty cell service, so you might want to grab an offline map before you head there. Several times, I had to quickly clip to a rung and go hands-free, just to give myself a rest. Music is: M. You need a car if youre visiting It is possible to stay on lodges at Nelson Rocks itself, however we ended up staying in the nearby Elkins, West Virginia as there were more options for food. Also have done 1 VF in New Zealand and 2 in Colorado. Some people like to wear gloves when climbing (fingerless are preferred). As long as you follow that rule, you'll avoid any serious falls/injury. Sometimes they may not be able to accommodate walk-ins. 4 most rewarding rock climbs for beginners - Almost Heaven - West Rocky hills, heart-stopping high-wire thrills on West Virginia's Via Tackle This Via Ferrata Bridge Suspended Between Nelson Rocks In West This route does not use rope (unlike normal rock climbing). Driving along US33 is a stunning drive as youll see many of these formations from the road. It is operated by NROCKS Outdoor Adventures (previously Nelson Rock's Outdoor Center). North Fork Valley Canopy Tour, High Flying Adventure!! No matter what your skill level, weve got rock for you! AWESOME.. The Via Ferrata found at NRocks was the second to be introduced in the United States, and it is one of only three currently in the country. OYMYO We suggest that you bring a small daypack with you on the Via Ferrata everyone will need their hands free to climb. The naturally-occurring route has been there forever; the rungs and cables merely make it easier to navigate it. The Headwall offers an optional, 100 foot climb, straight up. It was so unique definitely highly recommend it if it looks fun to you! NROCKS provides top quality equipment from CMI for all activities! Steel cables, metal rungs and a hanging bridge are combined to add safety and ease to your climbing here. Your safety is dependent on you as the guides can help, but there is only so much they can do if you do not follow proper via ferrata technique. Burt, Bonnie, Neil, and Jeanne were from Ontario, and had driven through the mountains every year on their way to vacation in Florida. Climbing the NROCKS Via Ferrata in West Virginia! - YouTube Note: This trip was first published in 2008. Climbers/hikers are required to use harnesses, helmets, and locking carabiners. The group were on a break . The course IS physically demanding. What to bring: You don't need to bring any climbing gear, as a harness and helmet will be provided. The overall trip for us took about 4.5 hours as one of the climbers had to downclimb at some point, which took some time. That brief climb was followed by passage through another notch. Privately owned by NROCKS, the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks is a climbing and traversing adventure using steel rungs and cables to move up the rock face rather than climbing on the rock. If the bridge failed, or I missed a step, I would quickly appreciate that safety line. The Via Ferrata is open by appointment only. The Iron Route - Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine 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. America's Best Via Ferratas: 6 Great Vertical Adventures in the USA If you blink, youll miss the one tiny sign pointing up the dirt road that leads to the preserve, off WV Route 55 near Judy Gap. Climbing can be dangerous. This via ferrata at Nelson Rocks in West Virginia was EPIC! What if there were rungs and safety cables already built into the rock? Brian is fanatical about safety, and spent a good half-hour I also kind of trauma when think about safety. Very nice climb. Access high places usually reserved for experienced technical rock climbers, providing exhilarating views and exposure. At Seneca, bear right at the three-way stop to continue on Rt.33 East. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Packages - nrocks.com In all, we only climbed about half a mile up the fins. 10/20/2022. A great place to really get out and get some fresh air rock climbing in is the Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata. Introductory Guide to Via Ferrata: What to know before your first via 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). Definitely worth putting on the to-do list if youre in West Virginia! Via Ferrata Failures and Life - By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog Guidebook Author to Moon Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges, published March 2022. 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. TripAdvisor.com, Join the NROCKS family and receive our free Insider's Guide to the North Fork Valley, packed with useful information about the region. (There were also safety waivers involved, though we filled those out before leaving home.). Our group was on the smaller side, which allowed for instructors to stop and help when people were struggling. I brought a box of granola bars with me, which was helpful for helping me find the extra energy to climb. Stu Hammett, the original owner purchased the property that NROCKS stands on today in 1997 with the intent of turning it into a Mecca for climbing enthusiasts. Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center - Canopy Tours, Via Ferrata Climbs, Cabins I HIGHLY recommend it! The Downstream OVF Route. Instead, a via ferrata (Italian for "iron way") is a series of ladders and cables that take you up hundreds of feet of cliffs. This is from last week. Our guide, Brian, greeted us. As I turned to take the shot down the valley, I unintentionally leaned against the cable at my side, causing the entire bridge to shift. My arms were growing weak, and the sweat on my hands was loosening my grip. But if you're like me and think this looks/sounds awesome, keep reading! You're not climbing those ladder-like rungs the whole time, but you're using your arms and legs frequently to push and pull yourself up, and your core and feet to keep yourself balanced on lots of uneven surfaces. A short drive from Nelson, . Youre not allowed on the via ferrata without doing so After this, we were given our gear along with a safety instruction to show us how to properly use our via ferrata set. Pricing subject to change without notice. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. Here at NROCKS we specialize in groups of all sizes. A . We climbed horizontally along the wall until we reached the point where the bridge is. American expat and cat lover fromNew York Citywho lived inAmsterdam. Nelson Rocks Preserve : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering - SummitPost Im just a small-town Ohio girl trying to balance a normal life with a desire to discover the world beyond my Midwest bubble. Brian only wanted three people at the most on the bridge at a time. While this activity might look technical in photos, you don't have to have any climbing experience in order to participate. Brian is fanatical about safety, and spent a good half-hour making sure we knew what we were doing. NOT QUITE THE SAME THING single use material - keeping with the wishes - please press start. After reaching the top, take the time to gaze out and soak in the views of Spruce Knob in the distance. Make a reservation today to guarantee a spot on one of our tours! Almost anyone! 28, just 11 miles south of Seneca Rocks.
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