You want to make your first via ferrata tour? Here you will find the best via ferrata tips for beginners.
Because sports and fitness is much more than Bodyweight exercises, Yoga and Co, we have introduced the category "WE GO WILD tests". Today on the plan: The first time via ferrata. Of course, we have a lot of helpful Tips for via ferrata beginners brought along.
Sepp, our via ferrata guide, revealed it to us.
By the way, via ferrata walking is in full swing right now. The number of via ferrata lovers has been increasing for several years.
The advantage is that you can climb vertically on rock walls without having to be an extreme climber or mountaineer.
Table of contents
What a via ferrata actually is
There are three types of via ferrata. By the way, many via ferratas were built during the war to expand war positions. The difficulty of via ferratas starts at A and goes up to E.
Insured via ferratas are simple trails that have secured passes in some places.
In other words, ropes that you can hold on to. You don't necessarily need via ferrata equipment for this.
Classical via ferratas are available in all imaginable difficulty levels.
From very simple climbs for beginners to upside down via ferrata for professionals. These climbs have a continuous wire rope with intermediate belays.
Often you can also find ladders, rope bridges or additional iron steps.
Sport via ferratas are for professionals. You need a lot of muscles and, above all, the right technique. As a beginner, you should keep your hands off them.
Not quite sure? Then just start with bouldering!
For whom via ferrata is suitable
There are a few criteria that you should consider as a via ferrata beginner. The most important thing is, of course, that you No fear of heights have. At least not much.
A little bit is allowed and even healthy. But you should not get dizzy or anything like that.
Also Claustrophobia you should not have. A few via ferratas lead through crevices or caves :) You should pack a headlamp.
You bring a big advantage if you are at least a little trained. So a few Legs and buttocks muscles and a little Power in the arms have. Because even on simple via ferrata routes there are often quite steep uphill sections. Anyone who has absolutely no strength will have little fun as a via ferrata beginner.
You must love nature at least a little. If you are disgusted by bugs and soil, you will not enjoy the via ferrata. You will encounter them all the time.
A little tip on the side: Make sure you cut your nails very short. Otherwise they will break off and prevent you from climbing.
This is what you have to consider with the via ferrata equipment!
The best tips as a via ferrata beginner on equipment
Especially in the beginning it is important that you take enough time. Our tip: Find a trained via ferrata guide. He should explain the many basics to you again in detail. That way nothing can go wrong.
We also did it that way. Our via ferrata guide was Sepp. Sepp has been climbing since he could walk and is very experienced.
He took 3 hours for our first tour. What he told us and what you have to pay attention to as a via ferrata beginner, we have recorded here.
Sepp led us over ropes stretched across ravines to dizzying heights, through crevices and abseiled us from 25 meters.
There are two very important basic rules for via ferrata:
- Never fall!
- Be secured at all times!
The right via ferrata equipment
As a beginner, it's best to simply borrow the equipment. You can then see if you really like climbing.
An equipment consists of shoes, a climbing helmet, a climbing harness and a via ferrata set with carabiners for belaying.
Tip from Sepp: Do not use a bicycle helmet, but a climbing helmet. It can withstand more and is much more resistant to heat and cold. This is especially important if you get a stone to the head or bump with the helmet on the rock.
The belt must be so tight that there is only room for one hand between you and the belt. You must also tighten it firmly on your thighs. After all, it will hold your weight in the event of a fall.
If you don't have equipment, get some. You don't know how many hours borrowed gear has been in use. I like to stock up at Bergzeit because they have a great selection of different brands. Plus, there are always great promotions where you can save a lot of money.
My via ferrata set, the shoes and my additional carabiners I have ordered in the Bergzeit Onlineshop. With a Click on this link you come directly to the via ferrata section.
The via ferrata shoes
What we advise you from the beginning, however, are your own good shoes. That is, special via ferrata shoes. They are characterized by the fact that they have an absolutely non-slip sole. And a very pronounced profile.
NEVER use sneakers or running shoes for via ferrata. This is much too dangerous! You should invest in shoes, you can also wear them for normal hiking.
As you can see in the photo, the shoes are made for via ferrata. They help you not to lose balance even on small bows.
At the toes they are reinforced, so you have good grip on small ledges. This part of the via ferrata shoes is called "Climibing Zone".
Unlike normal hiking boots, the sole is almost straight and not curved. These shoes have a strong edge, so you can find support even in small gaps.
There are models that are additionally waterproof. You can take some with a high shaft or low shoes. I find the mobility in the low shoes better. Especially when it goes steeply upwards.
As you can see, the choice is really huge. Make sure you have a good grip in them and your toes still have a little wiggle room. The shoes should not be too loose, you need to have a good and firm feeling in them.
Take only the essentials with you
Sounds logical, doesn't it? After all, you have to carry around all your essential stuff. So: Think carefully about what you take with you and what you don't need.
What we packed:
- 0.5 liters of water
- The cell phone
- A first aid kit
- A thin sweater
- A pack of tissues
- 2 granola bars
Ask yourself several times what you really need urgently. Of course, this also depends on how far you go. But as a via ferrata beginner you should not overdo it. You should be able to get by with this small packing list for at least 2 hours.
You pack all this in a small hiking backpack. One that you can pull very close to your body. If it hangs too much, it will interfere with climbing.
And if you are then equipped, it can already go to the first via ferrata. Sepp has told us many useful tips for via ferrata beginners. Of course, we do not want to withhold them from you.
The best via ferrata tips for beginners
Let's go to lofty heights :) Here we are already at the first very important tip.
1. do not go alone on the via ferrata
It's also best not to go alone when you're advanced. Of course, something can always happen. But especially as a beginner you should really never conquer a via ferrata alone.
The two of us took on the challenge. And had Sepp as a professional at our side. This also has the advantage that you get lots of great photos :)
By the way, also very important: As you can see, we are even attached to the climbing rope when taking pictures. Better safe than sorry, says Sepp :)
You also need your partner to do the safety check. Check each other so that nothing can happen.
The checklist:
- Are all loops on the climbing harness closed?
- Is the belt tight enough?
- Is the via ferrata set correctly applied?
- Is the helmet closed and does it fit tightly?
- Do you have the first aid kit in your backpack?
2. plan your route carefully
As a beginner, you should start with easy via ferrata. So routes with the difficulty A, A/B and B. Later you can increase to B/C.
You can find tours online. The best way is to google "via ferrata + place for beginners".
Pay particular attention to the weather. Especially those who venture to higher altitudes should keep a close eye on the weather forecast. In the mountains, the weather can change quickly. In wind, rain and thunderstorms there is danger to life on the via ferrata. Especially lightning is really dangerous. If thunderclouds are gathering, leave the via ferrata as quickly as possible.
If it has rained the day before, it can also still be quite slippery on the via ferrata.
3. hook and unhook carabiner correctly
Probably the most common mistake of all via ferrata walkers is the hooking and unhooking of the carabiners. Many self-proclaimed professionals have fallen because of this, Sepp tells us.
Most of the time, this is due to haste. But don't do that! Only recently a via ferrata walker fell again and died. Pay attention to clean execution!
Hook onto the next rope as soon as possible. NEVER unhook both carabiners. Not even for a second. Hold on to the rope with one hand. Never let go! Grab the front carabiner first. Sling it around. And then the second carabiner.
Make sure that they are not side by side. That is, the front carabiner is hooked to the mountain and the rear carabiner points to you. This way you are really safe. On the photo you can see the direction of the carabiners by the blue color. 1x it points towards you and 1x it points away from you.
When climbing upwards, the carabiners must always be in front of you. So you always have one hand on the rope and push it in front of you. This prevents you from tripping over the belay.
4. take small steps on the via ferrata
If you want to get to the top right away, you will soon lose your strength. Take small steps. Watch exactly where you will place your hands and feet. In the beginning, you will have a little trouble coordinating. But after a few minutes you will find it easier.
Think very carefully about where you will reach and where you will shift your weight before you set the step. Planning well will save you a lot of energy.
5. always keep enough distance on the via ferrata
Let's assume that your front woman loses her balance. That's bad enough. But imagine if she falls on you with momentum. Then you are both injured.
That's why it's important that you keep plenty of distance. At least one lanyard station. Better even more.
You ALWAYS cross bridges, ropes, logs and the like alone. Your sense of balance already has more than enough to fight with.
As a via ferrata beginner you can look forward to your first sore muscles
After the via ferrata it's time to take a break. You're guaranteed to have sore muscles. Depending on your fitness level, it will be more in the lower body (thighs and buttocks) or in the upper body (shoulders and upper arms).
Although I exercise regularly and a lot, I had a slight muscle soreness already in the evening. The next day it got worse. But that is quite normal. After all, your body does not know this kind of stress. Do not worry about it, just enjoy it :)
Our conclusion
The muscle soreness the day after was really not without. But it was more than worth it. The view and the feeling of being in the middle of nature was simply fantastic.
But never underestimate the mountains. Do not go alone and take a mountain guide with you on your first tour. He will explain to you again exactly what you have to pay attention to.
This is definitely not our last via ferrata tour. If you want to see more photos, go to our Instagram Acount. Here we regularly post photos from our tours. :)
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