Gunks Gets a Via Ferrata

Yes, you read that clickbait correctly!

The Mountain House has built a via ferrata.
https://gripped.com/news/legendary-u-s-gunks-crag-gets-a-via-ferrata/

Wait, is this the same Gunk's where installing ss rap anchors is the ultimate offense? 

amarius wrote:

Wait, is this the same Gunk's where installing ss rap anchors is the ultimate offense? 

Though originally owned by the same family, the Mohonk Mountain House Hotel and adjacent Skytop cliff are still under private ownership, separate from the Mohonk Preserve that owns the bulk of the climbing area. Also, numerous bolted rap anchors now exist on the cliffs in the Preserve itself, many of them put in and maintained by the Rangers. In part they exist to encourage climbers to descend by rappel instead of walking along the old cliff top trail, in order to limit environmental damage up there. Times change.

This is just the modern equivalent of the old ladders and walkways that were built out of wood and have existed at Mohonk for over a 100 years.

oldfattradguuy kk wrote:

This is just the modern equivalent of the old ladders and walkways that were built out of wood and have existed at Mohonk for over a 100 years.

Yes, but doesn't it cross over, and therefore render unclimbable, numerous long established routes?

Man, what an unbelievable first world amusement park! I bet 2/3 of the daily cost is insurance 

Alan Rubin wrote:

Yes, but doesn't it cross over, and therefore render unclimbable, numerous long established routes?

Read the article. It’s on Eagle Cliff, not Skytop. Yes, there are some routes on Eagle, but they were never really sanctioned by the Mountain House. 

One must hire a guide at the cost of $250 per person. I hope for that much lunch is served along the way.

Allen Sanderson wrote:

One must hire a guide at the cost of $250 per person. I hope for that much lunch is served along the way.

Bagels with a parabiner clipped through the middle and attached to a daisy chain will be served. 

Allen Sanderson wrote:

One must hire a guide at the cost of $250 per person. I hope for that much lunch is served along the way.

an incredibly small price for "the ultimate outdoor adventure"

Yosemite next ?

Gerald Adams wrote:

Yosemite next ?

Yeah, I'm sure El Cap via ferratta would be best sellers--help the NPS and Curry Company make their budgets!!!

Not really that far fetched. In Norway there are 3 VFs of varying difficulty up a very impressive wall above a fjord. Not as tall as El Cap but still big and steep. Specially certified guides required, of course !!!!

How about Royal Arches via ferratta wth new rotten log & rap down Washington Column for lunch at the Ahwahnee for $500 ?

Seeing that at one time there was a serious proposal to construct a cable car from Mirror Lake to the summit of Half Dome…..

The NPS wouldn't even be able to build trails like Half Dome, Angel's Landing or The Precipice in modern times, I'm actually surprised they are still maintained and open with all the idiots out there. 

If it would have been in existence in the ‘70s and 80’s when we were going on our all night adventures ranging from Sam’s point to Bomticou, we would have been poaching that baby! 

oldfattradguuy kk wrote:

If it would have been in existence in the ‘70s and 80’s when we were going on our all night adventures ranging from Sam’s point to Bomticou, we would have been poaching that baby! 

Shhhhh!

https://alaskapublic.org/2023/07/21/dont-look-down-alyeska-resort-opens-new-dizzying-attraction/

New ways of selling the beauty of the outdoors to willing consumers who want a scenic thrill without actually learning new skills. Americans will suck it up I imagine.

Unfortunately, the cliff is closed to climbing. The people on the via ferrata won't get to see wild, independent, rebellious, and death-defying climbers. Oooh! 

Colden Dark wrote:

New ways of selling the beauty of the outdoors to willing consumers who want a scenic thrill without actually learning new skills. Americans will suck it up I imagine.

Insert awkwardly long, epic, consumer slurping sound here! :-)