Hi all,
I want to try out a Via Ferrata. I have no equipment beyond the regular hiking fare (so no helmet, no Y rope, no harness), and I don't really know what I am doing (no mountain experience beyond scrambling).
So I am looking for:
- some book in English or French about Swiss Via Ferratas, preferably local. Would ideally include some tips as well, not just a list of hikes.
- where to buy said book and consult other similar ones (i.e. not online). again, in English...
- where to borrow/rent/buy the gear for cheap
- a Ferrata partner?

I recently went to engelberg to do a via ferrata, there are a few of them up there. We went into a shop when we were there and hired the equiment, basically a climbing harness with two carabineers and a helmet, and off we went up Bruni in the cable car then of onto the via ferratas, we did the easy one and it took about 1.5 hrs, was really good fun and tiring, as a warning, you have no guides or instructions, basically, heres the equipment, enjoy.

http://www.engelberg.ch/en/Sommer/Kl...ettersteig.php

Claire

In English: Via ferrata Switzerland, no idea where to buy. I saw the French version Via ferrata Suisse -- Toutes les via ferrata et les plus beaux sentiers sécurisés in the Sion Librarie Payot, but cannot find it on their web site.

Table of contents suggests few tips, I am afraid.

Here are a few options, not all true 'Via Ferrata'. Some are fixed rope routes. It is something that I have considered, but not got round to. I like the idea of 'adventure' in relative safety. The Alpine Centre in Zermatt have equipment for hire if needed.

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/offe...eva-18288.html

http://www.alpincenter-zermatt.ch/en...adventure/chf/

http://www.alpincenter-zermatt.ch/en...te_schweifine/

Hope you have fun with it.

Rod

The Via Ferrata called Diavolo, close to Andermatt, is a nice klettersteig to start with. If you are a first timer, it'll for sure give you a breath taking experience with a good level of security. In other words, it's a klettersteig with short pitches and a plenty of good handles. There are a lot of families doing it, although I would not recommend it to kids younger than 12 years. It'll for sure leave you longing for more - it's spectacular climb for all beginners looking for a true wall climbing experience.

Here's a couple of nice photo stories of the climb:

http://stat.ethz.ch/~dahinden/Pictur...mbing/Diavolo/

http://www.shima.ch/switzerland/04/diavolo_01.php

In Engelberg, the easier climb to Brunnistock is a good route to start with. You can even rent the required equipment from the little kiosk at the top chair lift station. If you are fit, you can take on the challenge of climbing to Rigidalstock. Be sure to start early for this climb, otherwise it's relatively easy despite the height.

Please, be aware of the dangers involved with via ferratas, especially when climbing with the old fashioned, somewhat incompetent via ferrata y-ropes. There are many back breaking G's of force involved in an e.g. 3 meter vertical drop - a modern sturz softening via ferrata clipping system is highly recommended if you appreciate your spine. Also, watch out for the weather. Climb only with good weather.

Have fun and be safe!

Try here for books - the owner peaks good english (if he's there) and there are some books in english, but you may have to bite the bullet and go to amazon. I see you speak french, sure there will be some french books in there too.
www.pizbube.ch

A couple of shops for buying gear, not sure about renting though.
http://www.ruedi-bergsport.ch/web/ru...ntakt?OpenPage
www.baechli-bergsport.ch

As for partners, there are a few of us who go rock climbing regularly, sure someone could be tempted to go via-ferrataing. There's a Zurich climbing thread on the forum and a google group now (i'm temporarily out of action though ).
http://groups.google.com/group/climbing-zh
[Zurich, Adliswil] Any rock climbers out there?

Cheers,
Ali

Here's a little collection of klettersteigs with descriptions and other info as well:

http://www.via-ferrata.de/kletterste...ge.schweiz.php

Assuming you got off the ground, here's one that i did last week, Sulzfluh on the way to st antonien. It's not for beginners and will soon be too cold/snowy but is my favourite around here.

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.ph...e&id=711176855

Vertical hiking yesterday on the Fürenwand in the Engelbergertal. My first time at Klettersteig and it adds a nice element to hiking.


IMG_3758p by patxietxea, on Flickr


IMG_3766p by patxietxea, on Flickr


IMG_3769p by patxietxea, on Flickr


R0014225p by patxietxea, on Flickr


R0014231p by patxietxea, on Flickr


R0014242p by patxietxea, on Flickr


R0014246p by patxietxea, on Flickr


R0014254p by patxietxea, on Flickr

This is not hiking in the above post!

Was it just me or did anyone else's knees go weak? I remember caught up in the moment I loved climbing. I would do it without a harness, just to get high, but now? Great photos, glad to see the harness

Hello EF,

Its our first winter here, and my husband was interested in finding out the following. I figured this was the place to find this information!

Can anyone recommend some good winter summit trails?. There is a lot on
Myswitzerland but have you any recommendations?

Also
Via Ferrata: do these routes have specific opening times; do you have to
book or pay; are they supervised; is any of the equipment provided etc?.
Basically, how do they operate here in Switzerland?

Thanks in advance, JJ

Oh boy, how I HATE this sort of post. I sit here wondering where to move it to. I love giving advice but there are loads of hiking Threads and several via ferrata threads. Shall I suggest...? or should I rather...?

You say nothing about your abilities, ages, experience and want advice. I'm merging the post to a Thread about via ferrata and suggest you really look through the posts of the folk who are obviously keen on hiking on this Thread and others with hiking themes.

Hope you find what you are looking for. Come back by all means when you have more specific questions.

There is a lot more on English forum, if you only look it up using the search function . It would be even better if your husband takes the bother to ask the question himself and get more intelligent answers, instead of asking vague questions through you.

What's a good summit trail depends on how fit your husband is, because "one man's stroll maybe another man's expedition". Seriously, there are no intrinsically good or bad trails.

Via ferrata? Again, depends on his climbing background, whether to use equipment, whether to go on a guided or own trip etc.; there is something on offer for people of all abilities. There was someone organizing a via ferrata meet-up, maybe you can post specific queries there to keep things in one place.

Edit: Darn, LB types faster than me, and has already moved the thread to where is belongs :-(

Thanks for adding to mine, Niranjan. That's my boy.

Thanks for helping us out Longbyt.

Dear Niranjan, I think you are being a bit harsh on us.
He's pretty fit as he is a marathon runner. However, its our first winter here and he's also hoping to do some climbing with his brother (who isnt a runner), so he wanted to get some advice from the wise and ensure that he didnt end up in hospital!!.
He had done some research but couldn't find what he was looking for - hence the post.
Thanks for the link to the VF meet up.

JJ

Very nice photos, I want to try it next summer.