\u201cWe are thrilled to bring this safe but thrilling adventure sport to Ouray,\u201d said Mark Iuppenlatz, co-founder of Friends of the Ouray Via Ferrata non-profit organization. \u201cThe via ferrata is an exciting, sustainable, human-powered adventure activity that will become a big part of the Ouray experience and economy in the future. We expect it to help attract new visitors during the 180-day season and bring significant economic growth to the community in the spring and fall shoulder seasons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Via ferratas are given a rating based on difficulty, much like climbing routes, but the system is a little different. Numbers one through five indicate technical difficulty with letters A, B or C following to rate the seriousness of the alpine commitment. The Ouray Via Ferrata is rated as a 4B and is expected to take two to three hours to complete. In contrast, the Telluride Via Ferrata takes an estimated four to six hours to complete, based on group size and climber fitness levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople seem to love the Telluride Via Ferrata, and this one is taking the experience to the next level,\u201d said Durango professional skier and mountaineer Sven Brunso. \u201cThe Telluride Via Ferrata is rated approximately a 2B, and this one is a 4B, so a bit more intense.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ouray\u2019s route is one way with the entrance at the Ice Park Loop trail at the south end of the New Funtier access trail. The route runs south to north and ends past the \u201cUpper Bridge.\u201d Once climbers begin, there is only one chance to exit more than halfway through the course.<\/p>\n The route climbs, descends and horizontally navigates through the Uncompahgre Gorge with some sections hundreds of feet above Uncompahgre River with others only feet above the water. It was expertly built with an estimated 4,000 feet of cable and 850 iron rungs that have been bolted into the rock walls. Friends of the Ouray Via Ferrata, the non-profit founded by Nate Disser and Iuppenlatz, the owners of San Juan Mountain Guides and Red Mountain Alpine Lodge, has invested more than $250,000 in the planning, engineering and construction of the route and raised $240,000 from donors and sponsors.<\/p>\n \u201cThe use of these allows otherwise dangerous routes to be accessible to people with a wide variety of climbing abilities,\u201d Iuppenlatz said. \u201cUsers can follow via ferrata routes without the need to use ropes or belay devices and without the risk associated with unprotected climbing.\u201d<\/p>\n It also features the first \u201cskyladder\u201d in North American with a 70-foot crossing of the Uncompahgre River.<\/p>\n Safety gear is required. Climbers will need a harness, special via ferrata lanyards, a helmet, closed-toe footwear as well as gloves, which will be required to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlike an amusement park ride, the via ferrata will require participants to climb vertical sections, shuffle along cliff walls and get some quality exposure but all while having the support of redundant safety systems,\u201d Iuppenlatz said. \u201cThe specially designed via ferrata lanyards incorporate an energy-absorption system that helps support users in the unlikely event of a fall.<\/p>\n \u201cThe via ferrata has been working closely with the local health department to outline safety precautions in recognition of the current COVID-19 situation. The via ferrata naturally lends itself to social distancing given the layout of the route, but users will be instructed prior to use by the rangers on how best to observe proper social distancing requirements. While gloves will always be recommended on the via ferrata course, they will be required for the foreseeable future to protect all users of the route.\u201d<\/p>\n Friends of the Ouray Via Ferrata will staff a ranger at the beginning of the route during hours of operation to make sure proper safety gear is being used. Rangers also will provide details about the route, educate climbers on route etiquette and provide route maps.<\/p>\n