LOL

This is the next logical step up (or down) from a bolted sport route. Bring the natural landscape down to the least common denominator so that everyone can climb easily and safely.

The next step? Making the Grand Teton wheelchair accessible.

Get a pub on top and we might just yet become civilized.

Don't forget the tram to the base too!

You guys should go to the Dolomites and climb the Sass Pordoi: an hour hike, a 12-pitch 5.8 route to the summit; a restaurant at the top; and a 3-euro, 5-minute tram ride back down to the parking lot! Photo, Photo, Photo, Photo.

After another Dolomite rock climb, we descended by a cushy Via Ferrata: Photo, Photo.

I don't believe that any rational person, after having climbed a Via Ferrata, is going to advocate setting them up on every cliff in the nation, nor will having done so inspire them to want trams and restaurants on every summit.

I do believe, however, that the average person, after having experienced it, will have a better understanding of why climbing and preservation are so important to those of us who climb on a regular basis. Better understanding and empathy by the general public for what we do can only benefit our still somewhat enigmatic recreation.

Don't be so hard on Joe Public, and especially don't underestimate his and her ability to appreciate what we do.The public's seeming lack of empathy for our concerns has a lot to do with their lack of a real understanding of why we climb. Via Ferrata might be just what we need to nudge that awareness along.

Oh yeah. Not to poke too much fun at Ron Olsen's specious, photo argument, but here are some famous examples of America's engineering ingenuity - none of which, i believe, were inspired by Via Ferrata:

1) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/kencangi/PalmSpringsTra>>>>>

2) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/kencangi/JacksonHoleTra>>>>>

3) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/kencangi/CannonMt.jpg

and one of my favorites:

4) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/kencangi/AhwahneeHotel.>>>>>

There are many more examples, but I think you get the point.

It would be a refreshing change to see climbers start spending more of their time just enjoying the sport of climbing, and far less time and energy on the pursuit of judging and condemning those outside of our tight-knit little, vertical family. It reminds me of the Hatfields & McCoys.

KC

Ken said:

"It would be a refreshing change to see climbers start spending more of their time just enjoying the sport of climbing, and far less time and energy on the pursuit of judging and condemning those outside of our tight-knit little, vertical family. It reminds me of the Hatfields & McCoys."

What Ken really wants is to limit judgement to WITHIN our tight-knit, little, vertical family. Read some of his earlier posts.

And for what it's worth, Ken was right about the Tyrolean traverse. No Tyrolean, no dead teenager this spring.

Now it's time to enjoy some climbing with my daughter...

Should the road to the top of Mt Evans be removed?

A pub on top... no doubt, that would be sweet bro. I wonder if they could only serve 3.2 beer though. What would also be cool is if we could get a descent trail system put into the cottonwoods for access, man that place is getting trashed with all the mish-mash of trails, and steep direct approaches with no water bars etc. Oh well maybe theres a boy scout out there looking for an eagle project that could do up something nice. A buddy of mine did that for Paramount Rock just east of Idaho Falls and it helped the scene immensely. Bet this guys got his "park" set up pretty sweet so that it will last for generations of use without looking like its Cow Grazing land.

Peace Y'all

So it's rebar basically? I don't think rebar would pass any sort of strength test an insurance company would need to vouch for a for profit climbing area.

It's thick and deep enough that it's not going to fail. I'm just saying it's still just rebar.

A fatality and guaranteed lawsuit would probably put an end to Via Feratta's in America though.

I took a hike up there today. Man the rebar just adds so much to the cliff face.(not) After lookin at that crap a painted bolt isn't all bad.

One thing noted by someone I climbed with over the summer, Americans climb with too much gear; why spend all your energy on such endeavors? All you need are 14 quickdraws. Everything else is serviced, including accommodations for the "bivy" along with 4 different wines and cheeses galore and roaring fire.

I like the Via Ferrata as it introduces people into technical terrain, don't we already have something up the side of Half Dome?

But, I wouldn't like to see VF in the destination technical lines around the Tetons, RMNP, Eldo, Splat Spires, or any other natural route (Irene's still, to me, is such a cool route).

I don't think VF will catch on in the States, mainly because of liability. It would be a shame to me if our National Parks took the VF approach. Let's just put a gondola and restaurant in at the Lower Saddle and a zip-line return from the Grand summit to the bar for the apres climb.

I guess I'm just a glutton for the alpine-style punishment, but I would welcome more people to enjoy exploring technical terrain, just not over a destination natural route.

let us not forget the Tram in Moab as yet another wonderful defet of nautre in the hands of man.....



http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/archives/nutshell-aug-sep>>>>>

What is the story with that ugly tram in Moab????