Via Ferrata, Kicking Horse, Golden
I climbed the Via Ferrata at the Kicking Horse resort yesterday. What an amazing experience!
Via Ferrata means "Iron Path". It's a climbing route designed for people without any climbing experience. There were iron rungs and steps and handholds secured to the rock as well as a steel cable to which climbers are attached during the climb. We took the Ascension route which was a 465 meter climb to the top of Terminator peak.
I get some pretty great perks at my summer job (more about that in a future post), and I had the opportunity to climb the Via Ferrata for free. I've done very little climbing in my life and I was worried the climb would be difficult, but it looked amazing and I couldn't say no to free. I'm so glad I went. Other than a few short vertical sections, it was easy. And the views were spectacular!
I met my friends (coworkers) at the base of the ski hill and we rode the gondola to the top, where the Eagle Eye restaurant is located. From there we hiked along the ridge to the start of the climb.
Via Ferrata means "Iron Path". It's a climbing route designed for people without any climbing experience. There were iron rungs and steps and handholds secured to the rock as well as a steel cable to which climbers are attached during the climb. We took the Ascension route which was a 465 meter climb to the top of Terminator peak.
I get some pretty great perks at my summer job (more about that in a future post), and I had the opportunity to climb the Via Ferrata for free. I've done very little climbing in my life and I was worried the climb would be difficult, but it looked amazing and I couldn't say no to free. I'm so glad I went. Other than a few short vertical sections, it was easy. And the views were spectacular!
I met my friends (coworkers) at the base of the ski hill and we rode the gondola to the top, where the Eagle Eye restaurant is located. From there we hiked along the ridge to the start of the climb.
Heading out to the base of the climb with friends from work.
We connected ourselves to the cable system and proceed along the Via Ferrata, starting with the bridge called Hanging Glory. On the bridge we took a moment to clip in and relax in our harnesses.
And then the climb began. While not technically or physically difficult, the climb is not for people with a fear of heights. Of course, as Sky Bridge employees, that wasn't a problem for us.
We spent the next couple of hours working our way up the rock face.
We climbed out of the shade and into the sunlight and were treated to amazing views of the valley below. We took a break before walking the short distance to the summit where we had 360 degree views of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
My friend William and I decided to stay a little longer and follow a scramble route down to the ridge before returning to the gondola. We found a neat rock feature.
The Via Ferrata was a lot of fun. There are many Via Ferratas around the world, and now I think I might want to do some other ones!