 Poster: A snowHead
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Having realised that waiting until January for an alpine holiday is far to long we have decided to go to Les Arcs at the end of July and have also been looking for some activities that we can do as a family. There will be myself, Mrs Bungle and 2 mini Bungles (aged 11 & 9).
I have come across a Via Ferrata in Peisey-Nancroix and wondered if anyone has done it or knows anything about it. I have done some fairly basic googling but would like some advice and information from anyone who has done it.
None of us have any experience of this but it sounds like the kind of thing we would enjoy.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Fri 4-07-08 13:21; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bungle, may be a bit much for the kids depending on the route. The via ferrata route in courchevel is very exposed and scary and i wouldnt do it myself but depends on what you are into...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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while on the subject, if anyone can offer similar adice on the VF at Sixt near Samoens or others in that area, fancy giving it a go in a couple of weeks, possibly with a 10 y.o. if suitable
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Bungle, you intrigued me, so I too did some googling: we're not there this year but if you do decide to give a go we would be interested in hearing about it for future possibilities: have you asked on the owners' website or the ASL guys?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Bungle, There is a very good adventure park that would more than test your children at Seez, just the other side of Bourg St Maurice. My children completed it first when they were 10 and 11 and still find challenging 4 years on. I have to admit could not complete it.
Arc Aventure are the company that run it.
http://www.arc-aventures.com/index_en.html
look under Parcours de l'Aventure.
They will probably be having my custom again later this month, Hydro Speeding down the Isere!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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skimottaret, Hmmm was worried it might be. It looks like there are two or three routes and one does seem to be aimed at families but wanted to find out from anyone in the know - especially as we haven't tried anything like this before.
JimW, not yet but that will be my next step 
Fogliettaz, thanks for that link it looks great. We have done the adventure park in Arc 1800 on several occasions and had a fantastic time but are always looking for more ideas.
Any other recommendations anyone?
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Bungle,
I understood from the Spirit guys that there were intending to put a full parcours for kids and adults in the trees next to Marmottes this year, after the success of the zip wire from Marmottes to Auberge last summer.
Which is of course slightly closer to home for you (and you'll probably find its financed by the ASL - so fill yer boots!).
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Bungle, While walking in the Vanoise National Park last summer, we saw some army guys doing the Via Ferratta. We were the other side of the valley & it looked quite scary to me - but its not the sort of thing I would do if my life depended on it. Sorry not to be any more help!
http://www.peisey-vallandry.com/
Here's the link for it
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Oh, it doesnt come up oon the via ferratta page  Go to activities, then click on mountain.
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masmith, I've dis that VF at Samoens a few years ago. It was my first ever outing on VF but I do climb regularly.
I though it was fine and nothing too hairy. My guidebook gives it AD+. It's easy to find, there's a nice wobbly bridge halfway accross and a few little step plates. It's pretty exposed in parts but it's nice. There is a overhang at the end but it's short lived and on huge rungs/ladder. When my kids are 10, i'll take them on this route but they'll have plenty of climbing mileage by then I expect.
To be honest, if anyone is thinking about trying VF in the French Alps, you should get hold of the Cordee VF guide:
www.amazon.co.uk/Via-Ferrata-Complete-Guide-France/dp/1871890977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215266348&sr=8-1&tag=amz07b-21
I bought a copy before I went out there and it was very useful. Plenty of good tips in there too. IMO it's better than the internet because you can take it on the route with you. Bungle, do you have a copy?
Cheers
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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genepi, thanks for the link - hadn't thought of checking that site
On their website it says:
Close to the Vanoise National Park, the Bettière via ferrata is one of the nicest itinerary of Haute Tarentaise.
3 levels of progressive difficulty : everyone can dicover this activity.
- L'éperon des croës accessible for chidren (no particular difficulties)
- Le grand pilier and the pont de singe (suspension bridge) more aerian (quite difficult)
- La grande dalle jaune overhanging for sportive person (difficult +)
Kersh, no we haven't got a copy of the book but are going to email the tourist information in Peisey and see what they say - thanks for the suggestions.
JimW, will keep you informed of the Bungle family outing for your future trips.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Hope this is not too late.
Yes. We did the Pesiy-Nancroix (Bettiere) Via ferrata this week with the family. (No prior experience).
A guide is essential if you are not experienced. We were escorted by Bruno (through Spirit 1950- highly recommended). Brilliant fun. Wife & two girls (aged 8 & 10) made it to the end of first stage but then opted out. We escorted them down & then I went back with Bruno and made it to the top. Some parts are a bit tricky, but well within your capabilities if you're reasonably fit & athletic, but you don't need to be superfit by any means. The overhang section is the toughest physically, but this part is fairly short as I recall, and you are quite safe being attached to the steel wire. Part of the difficulty (and the fun) as a first-timer is psychological- you don't know how long it is going to take, how much more difficult it is going to be -hence how much energy you need to keep in reserve, and there are those moments where you suddenly realise that you are very high up, exposed and although you know you are safe, nevertheless a fall would be unpleasant!
It was probably a bit beyond the 8 year old, but our 10 year old was fine on the first stage & could probably have got a bit further although not to the top.
You need decent boots (walking boots are OK) and gloves are sensible. You can buy proper Via ferrata gloves, but ordinary cycling gloves would do (and are cheaper). Everything else (harness, helmet, rope, carabiners) will be supplied by the guide.
Cannot recommend highly enough. Have fun & let us know how you get on.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z319/alp1950/arc1950summer08/P7141205.jpg
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Noticed some quite scary ladders in Chamonix (not sure if they are parts of via Ferrata though) and a ladder and a bridge at Cortina (see 2 pics at the end of this TR .
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You know it makes sense.
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| al.p wrote: |
| and you are quite safe being attached to the steel wire. Part of the difficulty (and the fun) as a first-timer is psychological- y |
Not really safe at all, via ferrata can be very dangerous and there's a high number of accidents and injuries on them. In technical terms this is largely due to significantly higher fall factors that are possible on via ferrata compared to sport climbing. Another factor is hitting bits of the fixed gear as you fall. The misperception that it's totally safe doesn't help either.
Obviously (hopefully) you need the correct equipment as well but hopefully no one's stupid enough to try this with a rock harness and a couple of slings.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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ise, I agree with you. Via ferrata is very accessable to most people who are use to the mountain environment, but as you say, falling off is not something you want to do at all. It's gonna hurt! Good advice I think.
Like my post above, if you buy the Cordee guide, it has all the info about the safety side of the sport. If you climb on VF routes within your capability you shouldn't fall off and you should be completely fine.
Kersh
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