Safety and common sense in the mountains are paramount. Before you start via ferrata, read its description carefully to know what to expect. The scale in which it is described via ferrata does not reflect the full character of the road. Pay attention to other aspects:
Passage time via ferrata
Height and length via ferrata
Are there any climbing difficulties and if so, how many (whether it is one place or a sequence of difficulties)?
Are there any violent parts?
How is your insurance via ferrata?
Can you withdraw?
Quality and brittleness of the rock
The via ferrata itself, like climbing trails, have different levels of difficulty. The most universal and most commonly used scale is the Austrian six-step valuation scale. Difficulties are described in letters A-F, where A is the easiest and F extremely difficult. The valuation that a ferrata has and the quality of insurance and other factors will determine which equipment has to be taken with it.
Six-point valuation scale via ferrata
A – Easy ferrata
This ferrata is intended for tourists with high mountain experience. The trail runs through a partially precipitated area and requires increased attention. More difficult or dangerous sections of such routes shall be fitted with steel buckles, steps or a safety steel rope.
B – A slightly difficult Ferrata.
Ferrata classified as B require a lot of mountain experience. It is the lead of a large part of the exhibited area without insurance. They shall be fitted with steel handrails over long distances.
C – Difficult ferrata.
Requires a lunge to be cared for. Very difficult places are usually equipped with ladders or buckles and require strength and knowledge of climbing technique. You will also need to be in good shape and insensitive to exposure.
D – very difficult ferrata.
Ferrata designed for professionals or people with experience in climbing. If you are less experienced on these roads, you may need additional safety line.
E – Extremely difficult ferrata.
For experts and those who know climbing techniques very well. In order to overcome such ferrides efficiently, you need to be resistant to long periods of exposure and have a very good condition.
F – Extremely difficult ferrata.
Via ferrata for experts with very good condition, who know very well the climbing and rope climbing techniques.
Four-point valuation scale via ferrata
1 – easy ferrata – natural trail, safe passage
2 – moderately difficult ferrata – experience required in high mountain tourism, only for people who are not afraid of space and are resistant to large exposure of the terrain, especially when crossing the shelves above the chasms
3 – difficult ferrata – only for people experienced in high mountains, necessary ability of mountain climbing
4 – very difficult ferrata – the route is time-consuming and requires advanced climbing skills.
Scale according to the description of four parameters
T = technical difficulties:
1 – rock with a shallow slope, easy road;
2 – steep rock, instrumented;
3 – rock with vertical sections, mostly equipped with an attached rope for ascending.
O = Objective hazards:
1 – not much, rock durable, strong, solid, solid without falling stones;
2 – march with falling stones, in part brittle rock;
3 – danger – danger from falling stones, rock very brittle.
F = physical exposure:
1 – short slope, also on the downhill slope;
2 – road with significant difference in level, long descent;
3 – high mountain road, big difference in descent.
P = Mental involvement:
1 – well sculptured rock – numerous stairs, little exposed trail;
2 – steep rock with passages in exposed areas;
3 – gable walls, access passages in the large exposition.
The article is a summary of our LIVE Via ferrata series, which we organize with our Academy of Climbing. You can read more about the difficulty scales and a summary of the difficulty scales via ferrat in pdf format in the free downloadable guide. To receive it, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking on this link: CLICK.
During the next live meetings we will discuss issues related to the equipment on via ferrata, trip planning and threats, as well as authoring. More information can be found here.
If you want to join an event, please sign up HERE. You will receive a set of additional materials and access to free manuals.
Read the following articles from the via ferrata series:
Via Ferrata – tourism or climbing? How to prepare for via ferrata.
What is via ferrata? Difficulties on via ferrata.
What equipment is needed for via ferrata?
Descriptions via ferrat
Did I inspire you? Give a puppet. Your recommendation is important to me.
Add to your favorites: I like uploading…