Via Ferrata in Ogden

So apparently there are some via ferrata lines in Waterfall Canyon in Ogden. Here is some info, but it's 5 years old. Has anyone been on these recently? Anyone have some beta they'd like to share? I guess I'm curious about whether a guide is required, how much it costs to rent the little via ferrata rig, info on where the routes are, etc.

Just looks like a good way to get non-climbers out (or more accurately, UP) there...

I had no idea this kind of stuff was around...

Off topic, but I don't get via ferrata. What is the point? Climbing for non-climbers or hikers?

And if everyone gets up in arms about a bold here and there, why are these ladders acceptable and no one says boo?

The point for this LLC is to make money. (See the OP'ers link)

The point back in war time was for troops to cross the Alps more easily.

Someone should put up a traditional route next to that via retarded route and then chop all the ladders and bolts.

I was up there about 3 or 4 years ago. I Hiked in and played on the practice wall for fun. At the time I had heard that a guide was required to go up the canyon and do the longer routes. I had originally heard that this was a Jeff Lowe project. He had negotiated access from the land owner and some more routes were going to be put up, but I’ve haven’t heard any more since then.

Scott- from what I had seen and heard, the rock up there is in bad condition, so it wasn’t going to be safely climbable without the Via Ferrate ladders. I’d also heard that it’s on private property which is probable why no one has complained. It is kind of climbing for beginners, but It’s also sort of fun, like a good rest day activity.

Here’s a couple more links with some more pictures and info:
gearjunkie.com/via-ferrata-…
outdoors.fanhouse.com/2008/…

Cool...thanks for the info. Always thought it was like the ugly sister no one talked about.

I'm not sure it has its place in the US, but it is very popular in Europe. I have to say it is really a ton of fun. It is a nice change to be able to move so quickly compared to free climbing.

And yes it is climbing for nonclimbers, but it is still fun.

cMn wrote:The point for this LLC is to make money. (See the OP'ers link) The point back in war time was for troops to cross the Alps more easily. Someone should put up a traditional route next to that via retarded route and then chop all the ladders and bolts.

I like the idea of a route next to it, where REAL climbers can sail by in style as the 'ferrata'folks are busy reclipping their multiple lanyards and getting rusty hands from the iron rungs.

Before we start complaining too much about a via ferrata in the Wasatch and saying someone should chop it, check this out (from this site):

"In his many years of rock climbing and ice climbing around the world, [Jeff] Lowe said, via ferrata courses had never interested him. But then he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

"It's really restricted my mobility, so it's a little bit more meaningful to me," he said. "I start to see the benefit to people who are not hard-core climbers, who are somehow limited in what they can do."

I doubt we'll see a bunch of these springing up (they've gotta be pretty freaking expensive to establish, eh?), but I don't think they're inherently a bad thing to have around.

Also, cMn said that someone should put up a trad route there. I believe there ARE already trad routes there. I remember looking for info on the canyon after driving up to City of Rocks and seeing the big quartzite cliffs there (which, while they appear to be chossy, don't look any worse than some of the stuff on the north side of Rock Canyon that gets climbed all the time... Good enough to climb on.). I think the info was in the Ogden Area Climbing Guide, or maybe on RC.com... It said that people had probably put up routes there back in the day and that there's room for a ton of variations.

Nice one Tristan, I was just about to write about how Lowe started helping develop it after he got multiple sclerosis and couldn't climb as hard. I think it's an awesome alternative and we shouldn't bash it. I know lots of families in Europe do Via Ferrata with young kids for multiple days as a vacation going over large stretches of the Alps. I think it sounds fun even though I like climbing too. I remember even looking into the Ogden stuff but couldn't find if it was still up and running. I'd be interested if it is.

I think the only reason its there is that its on private land. Not sure it would fly on public land.

Pretty sure there are climbing routes in the area.

I've only done the lower practise wall.

Done a few via ferratas in Europe.

Not sure I'd be psyched to see this kind of thing get popular on public land here.

I climbed them last year. They're not much fun for someone that climbs, but I see the potential to encourage new climbers. We didn't need a guide and used harnesses and longer draws for about half the route, then we got bored and cruised the rest. There are a couple of crags nearby, and I do see potential for new route development, but you'd probably get chased off by some rich dude running up to you looking for a couple of dollars for being on this land.

Waterfall Canyon is a very popular hike that happens to be on private property. If you've heard anything about the (moronic) mayor of Ogden and his lame idea to put a gondola from the center of Ogden to the top of our mountain, it's all in tandem with the owner of Waterfall Canyon and Malan's Basin (the site of a proposed West facing ski resort @ Elev. ~7,000). Of course, it has all fallen directly on its face, where it belongs.

It's true Via Ferrata in Ogden started as a money maker, but at their rates, nobody in their right mind would pay!

Check this link for a good laugh:

ogdenhub.com/sections/climb…

cMn wrote:The point back in war time was for troops to cross the Alps more easily. Someone should put up a traditional route next to that via retarded route and then chop all the ladders and bolts.

Yeah man!! If they don't climb as hardcore as you do, screw 'em! The only people who should get to enjoy climbing on mountains are people who have the time and money to invest in gear and learning to use it.

Stay in California and Poland.

jmac wrote:I'm not sure it has its place in the US, but it is very popular in Europe. I have to say it is really a ton of fun. It is a nice change to be able to move so quickly compared to free climbing. And yes it is climbing for nonclimbers, but it is still fun.

You are right. Things that are fun should stay in Europe. We are 'mericans Damn it. There is no fun to be had here. Move along and place your own gear ;-).

I have done a handful of via Ferrata's in Europe. They are fun. They aren't on usually on the sweet technical rock line and they do allow access to those who aren't so honed or skilled. Plus you can do them alone.

I frankly think they would be quite popular here if they were more common. But I also don't think 'merican liability would allow it either.

PT

PT,
Have you ever considered that maybe the europeans have the wrong attitude by thinking that everything should be accessible by putting a tram on every massif. IMO the us 'mericans have a pretty good deal goin as far as respecting our land.

Ted,

I have have climbed a bunch in Europe and it is a different scene, history and culture than the US.

Do i think we should put a tram everywhere because we can? No. But at the same token I don't think we should drive massive SUVs, build drive through national parks and consume like there is no tomorrow as we do in the US. I find mild irony in the thought of a tram up the side of a peak with a via ferrata you would be hard pressed to see, but allow housing developments to climb the sides of the foothills like at the mouth of big cottonwood.

You would be hard pressed to see a via Ferrata from >100m. It motivates people to get off the couch (like geo caching/trashing, something I personally don't like it, but it gets people out) and frankly it is less impacting than many other activities (like ATVing or even lift assisted skiing).

I just find mild hypocrisy in the issues we choose to get bent about (via ferrata's few have even noticed till now) and what we take in due course.

Frankly, I think people should be required to use via ferrata rigs on the cables on halfdome, but I don't see anyone advocating safety on pre-existing via ferrata that people arm over arm and die on every year.

PT

The rock should be respected. Via Ferrata is unethical. It's the rock climbing equivalent of habitat destruction, or biological control with disregard for native species. People get up in arms about chipping (as they should), this takes it up a whole level.

DOWN WITH VIA FERRATA!!

hey tristan, if you're this far north hit me up and we can go climb some davis county choss together!

PT,

I think it is nice that via ferrata gets people off the couch but thats not a great excuse to have it. I think a casino in the middle of yosemite valley would get people off the couch to go for a hike but i still think that would be a bad idea.

I know that is an extreme example but i'm just saying there is a line and we have to draw it somewhere. Some people say that bolting limestone cliffs right off the major highway crosses this line but i don't (probably because i like to clip those bolts.) All in all I'm not qualified to draw any lines, just suggestions.

My theory is that in this country for better or worse is that things will happen if there is money there, housing developments and via ferrata. Unfortunately, being a punk 19 year old college student I dont have the money to stop either so ill just whine about it on the internet. Hope ya have a good week of climbing.
Ted

Ted Farley wrote:My theory is that in this country for better or worse is that things will happen if there is money there, housing developments and via ferrata.

I don't think you can put those two in the same category. I mean, there are what, half a dozen via ferrata locations in America? I hardly think that we're looking at a plague here. And I think that's actually why via ferrata HASN'T caught on in America... There's no money there.

Maybe this is how Tristan and I should finish the Squaw Peak route!