Tori takes Ossie on one of Frances most challenging VF climbs
Via Ferrata means ‘iron route’, it is a series of cables, ladders, pegs and bridges implanted into the rock to make a climbing route up mountains and across cliffs.
The last two summers I have really enjoyed exploring my local Via Ferratas with friends. I have gained a lot of experience on them, taking myself out of my comfort zone and becoming braver and stronger.
At the end of September, we had a lazy Saturday morning we watched a movie, we had had a big veggie cooked breakfast and Ossie was outside sliding down a huge muddy bank on a bum board with his friends, while I was tidying up.
I was wondering how to make the most of the day when I remembered that Ossie had seen the pictures of me doing Via Ferratas this summer and it had inspired him to ask if I could take him climbing this weekend.
This summer we have done lots of mountain climbing, ice climbing, tree top climbing and rock climbing together so I knew he was capable of doing it even though he was only 8 years old.
So I packed our bags, shouted to Ossie ‘do you want to try a Via Ferrata today?’… he came running over, we jumped in the car and we headed over to Val d’Isere.
I was confident and he was keen, so we chose Le Roc de Tovière route in La Daille, Val d’sere. This route has a start altitude of 1795m and finishes at 2200m. There are 2 exits on this, so I knew it was a good one for Ossie to try. It’s difficulty rating is ‘Difficult’ for the first section and ‘Very Difficult/Extremely Difficult’ for the second and third sections.
The first section is great for beginners, with introductions to the height and the standard obstacles in via ferrata including small bridges. The second section includes two bigger bridges, a climb across a high cliff face and a huge suspension bridge. Unfortunately the third section is closed now due to regular rock slides.
Our equipment list was..
- Normal hiking clothing
- Rock Climbing harness
- Via Ferrata energy absorbent lanyard with 2 carabiners
- Snacks and water in a small pack with extra layers
- Quick draws
- Go Pro!
The first section was very comfortable for Ossie. He enjoyed sticking his head in caves, jumping on the wooden bridges and then off the bridges!
After half an hour we got to the first exit and I said to Ossie…. ‘the second section is much much harder than this one, if you want to we can exit now?’
he replied… ‘I can’t think of anything better I can do with the rest of the day, and I want to play on the big bridge, let’s go!’
He scrambled over roots of trees and some more small bridges, his aim was to get to the huge suspension bridge at the end, but I knew this involved traversing a tricky and high cliff face!
Ossie was very confident so I hid my concerns from him and just continued to repeat the safety aspects to him over and over again.
We arrived at the cliff face, I was half expecting Ossie to say ‘no way’ and us have to turn around some how, but he just got on with it!
I really was astounded with how efficiently he climbed and that the height and exposure didn’t seem to bother him a bit!
He chatted to me and giggled all the way across and up the next cliff. I felt slightly guilty for maybe underestimating him. It really is amazing what our children are capable of when they are given the right environment, equipment and opportunities.
We took our time, played, laughed, chatted and looked at bugs, flowers and the epic views all the way up.
Almost three hours later we arrived at the huge suspension bridge.
I double checked all his safety equipment one more time and turned around to put a new battery in the Go Pro. When I turned back Ossie was already standing in the middle of the suspension bridge, over what me and my friends call The Chasm of DOOOM!
We played on the bridge for a while, with Ossie becoming more and more confident with each step, until I heard him shout ‘Look Mumma no legs!’ as he jumped in the air making the bridge swing side to side!
As we exited the Via Ferrata to the other side of the mountain we were greeted by the warm evening sun. It felt lovely to be back in the sun and we enjoyed that feeling while hiking all the way back down to the village.
If you want to try a Via Ferrata too, but you are not an experienced climber, you can hire a guide from Le Bureau de Guides de Tignes and you can also get all your equipment there.
I would recommend the first section of Le Roc de Tovière route in La Daille to anyone trying Via Ferrata for the first time (with a guide) or for children who have rock climbed before. However I would suggest that if you found the first section daunting or difficult at all then you do not continue to the second section.
But my biggest piece of advice is just go and give it a go, step outside your comfort zone and experience adventure and when you are confident enough to, then share it with your children. I certainly stepped outside my comfort zone today watching my little boy traverse across a cliff face!
YOU CAN CLIMB THE TOUGHEST MOUNTAIN
BY JUST SIMPLY TAKING THE FIRST STEP
