Shannon McDowell explains why you should experience Via Ferrata in the Dolomites

Shannon McDowell (2-time world champion in Ultimate Frisbee), shared her experience of via ferrata climbing the Dolomites in Italy. You may be wondering what via ferrata climbing is. Via ferrata is a lot like rock climbing, but when you climb via ferrata there is a fixed line that you clip into. There is a device you bring with you called a via ferrata device which has an attachment that you use to clip into the rope into the via ferrata. Via Ferrata means "iron path" which dates back to the metal ladders in the mountains in WW1.

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Shannon and her teammates spent a week in the northern Dolomite region climbing via ferrata and it was an adventure to remember. They visited a few areas of the northern Dolomites, the lower dolomites (which has more rolling hills) and the upper dolomites that were more mountainous.

When you go via ferrata climbing, you want to select your route at least the night before. It may be a 30 minute to a couple of hour hike to get to the via ferrata route. Shannon and her teammates chose routes that would take about half a day. When Shannon went it was mid-august and thunderstorms were showing up in the afternoon, they got an early start each day. Shannon's favorite part about the trip was experiencing the history of the Dolomites. This area was part of WW1 and has an extensive history here.

Where do people go Via Ferrata Climbing?

Via ferrata climbing is very popular in Europe and isn't very popular in the United States, yet. The climbing traditions in the US has the goal of leaving the rock the way it was in the 'leave no trace' idea. In Europe, they are more open to adding ladders and line to help others experience the rock in a new way. The Dolomites in northern Italy is top via ferrata climbing spot, and is a magical place you should experience.

Where Can You Stay when going Via Ferrata in the Dolomites?

The refugio/rifugio is a cabin that is managed by an Italian and these cabins may be right along a highway or in the wilderness. They are like a bread and breakfast. You can buy breakfast or dinner while you're there and is a great home base while you're there. Some refugios have private rooms you can rent and other refugios are bunk bed style like a hostel. Refugios are like hostels, but a bit more adult friendly. You could also camp when doing via ferrata in the Dolomites. Roadway camping in northern Italy has pull outs on the road and camping there is free. These roads are small and windy and may not be the best roads to bring a trailer. You could also do a multi-day camping trip in the Dolomite National Park and have an experience you would never forget.

How do you get to the Dolomites?

You can fly into Milan, Venice, or you could fly into Munich or Zurich airports in Switzerland. You should do a cost analysis and see which is the best to fly into for you as well as what other adventures you want to have while you're over there. Shannon recommends renting a car to get into the Dolomites and having a car is a great way to get around. Also, you drive on the right side of the road in Italy, so if that's what you're used to, you'll be alright.

What type of Climbing Gear Do You Need for Via Ferrata the Dolomites?

Shannon recommends bringing shoes with a stiffer sole like hiking shoes. You can also bring rock climbing shoes. If you are a beginner, you definitely don't need to go buy new rock climbing shoes. You should purchase your own via ferrata device of your own. It is a very important safety gear. Check out Black Diamond for via ferrata climbing devices. You should bring a climbing rope in case you fall on your via ferrata device so you can belay yourself down if you fall on a via ferrata device.