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Yosemite's First Via Ferratta?

Max R · · Bend · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 292

*Aramark has entered the chat*

Andrew Rice · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 11

The railing of the Curry Village skating rink makes a nice via ferrata in winter. 

Cherokee Nunes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 0

What good is a via ferratta without some self-serving pro guides to exploit it?

Goes to motive.

Ricky Harline · · Angel's Camp, CA · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 147
ubu wrote:

You know, sometimes a barrier to entry is a good thing.

I think there have been some really good and valid concerns raised in this thread regarding a via ferrata in the valley, but under the right conditions it still seems like a reasonable idea to me. They're shared public natural resources, and saying only climbers get to enjoy the rock faces seems incredibly selfish to me. Are the via ferratas clogging up amazing potential routes in Europe? seems to me lots of people have a great time on them, I don't see why we shouldn't have the same here.

I find the sense of ownership over shared public natural resources really gross and off putting. It ain't climbers' rock, it's Americans' rock. Let the public get a taste of it. There's gotta be some dogshit poopoo lines in the valley that would make for a good via ferrata if the park wanted to get involved in putting one up and maintaining it-- I agree an individual doing it is probably a terrible idea. 

Glowering · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 16
Ricky Harline wrote:

I think there have been some really good and valid concerns raised in this thread regarding a via ferrata in the valley, but under the right conditions it still seems like a reasonable idea to me. They're shared public natural resources, and saying only climbers get to enjoy the rock faces seems incredibly selfish to me. Are the via ferratas clogging up amazing potential routes in Europe? seems to me lots of people have a great time on them, I don't see why we shouldn't have the same here.

I find the sense of ownership over shared public natural resources really gross and off putting. It ain't climbers' rock, it's Americans' rock. Let the public get a taste of it. There's gotta be some dogshit poopoo lines in the valley that would make for a good via ferrata if the park wanted to get involved in putting one up and maintaining it-- I agree an individual doing it is probably a terrible idea. 

No one is preventing anyone from enjoying the rock faces (they can always learn to technical rock climb and/or hire a guide if they want to access these areas, which they should be physically able to do if they can do a via ferrata), the question is should hardware be installed in a wilderness area and what type of hardware. Via ferrata is much more intrusive than bolts and IMO probably more impact than you want to cause in a wilderness area.

I've never been in favor of removing the HD cables (although some rock climbers are) for the some of the same reasons you state above, it allows non technical rock climbers to experience Half Dome. But this is a grandfathered in use in a National Park. I highly doubt the NPS would allow this type of thing in a wilderness area nowadays. If someone wants to do a via ferrata in Yosemite there is the Half Dome cables and if someone wants a true via ferrata there are guided ones on private lands (Tahoe and Mammoth for example). 

Brandon R · · CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 194
Ricky Harline wrote:

... They're shared public natural resources, and saying only climbers get to enjoy the rock faces seems incredibly selfish to me. ...

The problem with this is that both "climbers" and "non-climbers" are just people. And people already do have access to climb the rock in Yosemite.  If a person wants to climb a rock, all they have to do is go climb a rock. If they want to climb a ladder, all they have to do is go climb the fire-escape on the side of some building (or go to Europe apparently). 

Ricky Harline · · Angel's Camp, CA · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 147
Brandon R wrote:

The problem with this is that both "climbers" and "non-climbers" are just people. And people already do have access to climb the rock in Yosemite.  If a person wants to climb a rock, all they have to do is go climb a rock. If they want to climb a ladder, all they have to do is go climb the fire-escape on the side of some building (or go to Europe apparently). 

Climbers usually put in hundreds of hours of work to be able to lead even Sunnyside Bench. A via ferrata you get handed some kit and off you go. Not remotely the same in terms of accessibility. 

I dunno, I don't think the valley necessarily needs one, but if put up under the right circumstances it would be pretty neat. 

Christian Hesch · · Morro Bay · Joined Aug 2017 · Points: 55

Not to take this down a massive tangent but…ah what the hell.

Is this similar to “all people should have the opportunity to vote, it’s their right?” Sure, it’s my right… but if I put in zero effort to educate myself on the issues, candidates, and needs of the community, why should I be allowed to vote? So that I can just vote the same as my parents taught me to vote? I’ve always really struggled with exercising “rights” that I refuse to properly prepare/learn about. 

For instance, should I exercise my 2nd amendment rights, yet learn zilch about firearm safety, secure storage, and/or proper defensive tactics, if I’m buying it for that reason? I don’t think I should - I’m not going to stop someone from voting or buying a gun, but I don’t think you should, if you willingly choose to not be well versed in the subject/right that you’re exercising. 

Same thing goes for rock. Chossy, difficult to protect, steep face? There’s prob a scary way up and, if you’ve put in hundreds, maybe thousands of hours of climbing, you might well make it up with little problem. Why should I want to dumb it down for ”everyone to enjoy?” Put me down in the *disagree* camp

philip bone · · sonora · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 0

The original Firefall

Base jumping

Marc Wellman

Ricky Harline · · Angel's Camp, CA · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 147
Christian Hesch wrote:

Not to take this down a massive tangent but…ah what the hell.

Is this similar to “all people should have the opportunity to vote, it’s their right?” Sure, it’s my right… but if I put in zero effort to educate myself on the issues, candidates, and needs of the community, why should I be allowed to vote? So that I can just vote the same as my parents taught me to vote? I’ve always really struggled with exercising “rights” that I refuse to properly prepare/learn about. 

For instance, should I exercise my 2nd amendment rights, yet learn zilch about firearm safety, secure storage, and/or proper defensive tactics, if I’m buying it for that reason? I don’t think I should - I’m not going to stop someone from voting or buying a gun, but I don’t think you should, if you willingly choose to not be well versed in the subject/right that you’re exercising. 

Same thing goes for rock. Chossy, difficult to protect, steep face? There’s prob a scary way up and, if you’ve put in hundreds, maybe thousands of hours of climbing, you might well make it up with little problem. Why should I want to dumb it down for ”everyone to enjoy?” Put me down in the *disagree* camp

People that want to do via ferratas don't want to climb. If they wanted to climb they would climb. They're apples and oranges. You might as well say the valley shouldn't put in a new hiking trail because if people wanted to experience the outdoors they would go climbing. 

It doesn't make any sense. 

Brandon R · · CA · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 194
Ricky Harline wrote:

People that want to do via ferratas don't want to climb. If they wanted to climb they would climb. They're apples and oranges. You might as well say the valley shouldn't put in a new hiking trail because if people wanted to experience the outdoors they would go climbing. 

It doesn't make any sense. 

And people who want to ride dirt bikes don't want to walk on trails, but hopefully we can recognize that different areas are appropriate for different activities and different levels of impact. 

There's a place for people who want cheap thrills with the minimal effort expended. It's called Six Flags. I'm all for equity and accessibility when it comes to the hard realities of everyday life, but for recreation, you gotta put in some time, effort, and thought if you want to do cool stuff on public land. Otherwise, pay for your ticket to ride the Green Dragon with all the other tourists.

Glowering · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 16

“Go Climb a Rock”. YMS will be happy to take anyone on a beginner climbing lesson.

If someone wants to do a Via Ferrata (I see the appeal, I've done ropes courses they're a lot of fun) there's already places they can do that, which are more appropriate than wilderness areas.

But really this is about one guy who at best has a misguided view of what the majority of the climber community feels is acceptable willing to create a bigger impact for convenience, or at worst wanting to make his mark all over the valley out of ego.

Andrew Rice · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 11
Ricky Harline wrote:

I think there have been some really good and valid concerns raised in this thread regarding a via ferrata in the valley, but under the right conditions it still seems like a reasonable idea to me. They're shared public natural resources, and saying only climbers get to enjoy the rock faces seems incredibly selfish to me. Are the via ferratas clogging up amazing potential routes in Europe? seems to me lots of people have a great time on them, I don't see why we shouldn't have the same here.

I find the sense of ownership over shared public natural resources really gross and off putting. It ain't climbers' rock, it's Americans' rock. Let the public get a taste of it. There's gotta be some dogshit poopoo lines in the valley that would make for a good via ferrata if the park wanted to get involved in putting one up and maintaining it-- I agree an individual doing it is probably a terrible idea. 

I agree with you that it isn't climbers' rock, it's the public's rock. But of all the places I can think of that a Via Ferrata would be amazing ( and I think they're cool), Yosemite and particularly Yosemite Valley is one of the least apt locations.

The Half Dome cables are an utter shit show most of the time. Have you ever been on Angels Landing in Zion? It's Via Ferrata-ish and it's an utter shit show all the time. Both of those are literally choked with people and the definition of "loved to death." The most appropriate "Via Ferrata" line I can imagine in Yosemite would be Matthes Crest (ducking!) but that would be a travesty. And the hordes would have a hard time with the approach.

Someone like you should actually create a commercial Via Ferrata somewhere within easy striking distance of Yosemite. I'm sure there's some nice lines on private land or at least just NFS land that you could set one and guide people with positive results. 

Cherokee Nunes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2015 · Points: 0

Citing a quarter where rain and/or snow were pretty much constant as "data" to represent a completely insane viewpoint is rich.

Its a purposefully deceitful representation at that.

James - · · Mid-Atlantic · Joined Jun 2022 · Points: 0
Erik Sloan wrote:

Yosemite is popular enough? Just one team of 2 has topped out El Cap in the first 3.5 months of this year, popular? .....a cliff over a mile wide and three thousand feet tall with perfect rock quality and a 15 minute approach sees 2 people summit in a third of the year - that's crazy!

Even crazier, zero via ferrata climbers topped out on El Cap over the past decade. The data clearly show there is no market at all for this idea!

Guy Keesee · · Moorpark, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 349

Perfect! One going to the top - then a massive zip line down to the village. I’m surprised it’s not a reality now, think of the $$$$!

Michael Vaill · · Yosemite · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 106

April 1st was a couple weeks ago mate.

philip bone · · sonora · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 0

It smells like some trumpian ploy to stay relevant. 

Big B · · Reno, NV · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 1
philip bone wrote:

It smells like some trumpian ploy to stay relevant. 

Do us all a favor and keep your polyass comments out of the climbing threads

MP Chatbot · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2024 · Points: 0
Big B wrote:

Do us all a favor and keep your polyass comments out of the climbing threads

What is a polyass?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern California
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