VIA FERRATA INFO

GROUP LEADERS

We have grouped together participants and assigned a more experienced person as a lead, not a guide. Please check your "Carpool & Activities Guidebook Info" email for group assignments.

This is NOT a guided experience. You are on your own and responsible for your own safety and knowing how to responsibly use your own equipment. Please look to your group lead for some assistance, but keep in mind many of them only have experience with climbing, not a via ferrata.

OPTIONAL GUIDES

If you or your group wish to book a guide, feel free to do so. Expect ~$180 per person

MANDATORY INFO SESSION

On Friday evening we will be holding a MANDATORY info session & demo for all participants.

Unfortunately there are no good videos explaining how to properly use the equipment. This one is ok:

INSTRUCTIONS

We want to stagger groups arriving at the OVF to prevent a traffic jam, so please try to arrive and begin your via ferrata after the group in front of you, with some buffer.

Please familiarize yourself with the course here, we are doing the Downstream Route. Watch the video, save the map, and know the features! Click the waypoints on the map to watch a video of each feature.

OVF COURSE INFO

Steps for Saturday:

First group should leave no later than 8:30 am; later groups can leave later.
You'll be picking up your gear from San Juan Mountain Guides in Ouray.
Park as indicated on the activities map
Walk to the trailhead as shown on the activities map, closer entrance may be closed due to construction
Hike to the via ferrata entry point on the activities map
You will get a briefing from a park ranger
Try to finish by around 2 pm at the latest to avoid the daily afternoon lightning storms, you are attached to a giant lightning rod the entire way.
Please hit the road back to Eureka by 4 pm

GEAR & CLOTHING

For a full list of what to bring for the weekend, see WHAT TO BRING. Otherwise, here is the via ferrata gear most of you will be renting/buying. All of these are mandatory. Scroll down to Availability & Pricing on San Juan Mountain Guides pricing page for rental pricing. You'll pay when you pick up, ~$50 for the full set.

Climbing helmet (other helmets are not appropriate)
Harness
Via ferrata lanyard
Gloves - $5 to buy

Other stuff you should bring:

Comfortable athletic clothing
Athletic shoes with good grip, ideally a flat rigid sole. Running shoes are ok, approach shoes are ideal. Climbing shoes or boots are not good
Sun screen/ sun hoodie
Hat & sunglasses
Rain jacket
Water - it's hot & dry in Ouray!
Snacks
Chapstick (dry air)
Basic medications (ibuprofen, tums, imodium, etc)
A bag to hold the above

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