Via Ferrata/Iron Way Tutorial 01: Equipment for a Via Ferrata/Iron Way
Harness, Via Ferrata/Iron Way set, helmet, gloves, boots: five items you must always take with you on a Via Ferrata/Iron Way – and what’s important about each one.
The safety equipment required for Via Ferrata/Iron Way routes is straightforward: a harness, a Via Ferrata/Iron Way set, a rockfall helmet, Via Ferrata/Iron Way gloves and suitable footwear are the five items you must always carry with you.
Part 1 of the video series ‘SicherAmBerg – Via Ferrata/Iron Way’, a collaboration between the Austrian Alpine Club and Climbers Paradise. A clear and humorous explanation of what matters on a Via Ferrata/Iron Way.
Text and video: Austrian Alpine Club
You can’t do without a harness. The hip belt is now standard. So-called combination harnesses, comprising a seat belt and chest strap, can be useful for children or overweight people.
In any case, the harness must fit snugly against the body, but must not restrict freedom of movement. Padding ensures a comfortable fit when the harness is fully loaded – for example, when taking a break.
The Via Ferrata/Iron Way set is the centrepiece of the kit and is specifically designed to withstand the impact forces encountered on Via Ferrata/Iron Way routes. Two load arms fitted with special Via Ferrata/Iron Way carabiners connect to the wire rope and ensure that you remain secured even when switching sides.
In the event of a fall, the carabiners and load arms transfer the force to the webbing energy absorber, which tears open in a controlled manner at a defined load, thereby providing dynamic braking.
A helmet is standard kit. It protects against falling rocks – a risk that is always present on Via Ferrata/Iron Ways – and also serves as impact protection.
Via ferrata gloves prevent injuries caused by protruding strands of rope and chafing of the hands. And they improve grip on the wire rope: an advantage that should not be underestimated when it comes to conserving energy and boosting your sense of security.
The right footwear for a Via Ferrata/Iron Way is a compromise between hiking boots and climbing shoes. So-called ‘approach shoes’ are ideal for most Via Ferrata/Iron Ways: they provide the foot with support and protection, have the necessary stiffness and a sole that is also suitable for climbing.
Everythingyou need to know about Via Ferrata/Iron Way at a glance:Via Ferrata/Iron Way – everything you need to know
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