Does the route require previous climbing experience?
Not at all. The Telluride Via Ferrata was built to allow people with no technical climbing experience the ability access to big, high mountain terrain, even while traversing across sheer cliffs. It is a trail, not a climbing route, although it does have a level of exposure more often associated with rock climbing. Unless someone has a debilitating fear of heights, anyone with a reasonable level of fitness (if you can hike for 3-4 miles) should have a great time on the route, with support, coaching and modeling from a trained guide.
How long will the Via Ferrata take and how far is it?
The route in its entirety, traversed east to west, will take at least four to
five hours round trip from the town of Telluride. We traverse the route from east to west, and hike out on a short section of trail back to Bridal Veil road. The total distance is just over two miles.
What should I bring and wear?
You should plan to wear comfortable clothing similar to what you would wear for a half-day hike: athletic shorts or pants, a breathable shirt with an extra layer if the morning is chilly. Pack a bottle of water, a snack, your camera, and sunglasses. Sunscreen is best applied before you head up, so your hands
aren’t greasy from lotion. 😉
Is the route appropriate for my young children?
The answer to that question really depends on the child, as we’ve had countless youngsters impress us on the route. Kids (or adults) less than five feet in height will have difficulty making some of the reaches between rungs, but our guides can help mitigate that difficulty. We do require that families or groups with young children book a private trip. While young children may have challenges with some of the reaches, as long as they are able to pay attention, walk carefully and take coaching from the guide, they’ll probably have a great time.
What is the difference between open and private trips?
** June 2020 – Covid-19 update: Due to local health restrictions, we will are not offering open trips for the foreseeable future.
On a private trip, you will be just with your group and your guide; the meeting time and pick-up are up to you. With an open trip, you will be joined by other climbers at no more than a 4:1 climber to guide ratio. Total group sizes are generally limited to eight or less guests.
How can I register other members of my group? The online sign-up only takes information for one person.
The way our online registration is organized, we only require information for the “trip leader,” or the person registering on behalf of the rest of the party. If there is anything in particular that you think your guide should know in advance about particular members of your party (ie: medical conditions, prior injuries, fear of heights, apprehension, younger than age 14, etc.), please list that in the notes section or let us know in the office.
Is transportation included? Where can I park?
** June 2020 – Covid-19 update: Due to local health restrictions, we are unable to provide transportation.
Yes, (most years!) we typically provide transportation from our office downtown Telluride to the base of the route and back.
For summer 2020, we ask that you please meet your guide at the base of the Bridal Veil road, sometimes referred to as the Valley View Parking area, where you can park for free below the rough sections of the road up to the start of the route. Your guide will work with you on a plan for the day of your trip.
Is gratuity included?
Guide gratuity is not included. Typically, if you had a good experience, a demonstration of your appreciation (~10-20 percent of trip cost) is greatly appreciated by your guides. Of course we pay them a livable wage, but guiding is typically a tip-augmented profession, like many service industry jobs.
Do you offer a military discount?
You bet! We offer a ten percent discount for active-duty military on all of our Via Ferrata trips, along with our gratitude for your service.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We are in the risk management business, so we carefully assess weather each day to decide if it could create a level of increased risk that is outside of our risk tolerances. If we cancel the trip due to weather, we will refund you in full. In some circumstances, the weather could be less than desirable but does not affect or increase risk. In such cases, we would still launch a trip that day.
Do you rent via ferrata equipment?
Due to liability, we do not rent any technical climbing equipment, including via ferrata gear. If you would prefer to traverse the route unguided, you can purchase the necessary equipment at the local gear shop, Jagged Edge. Via ferrata lanyards cost about as much as a guided trip across the route. If you are joining us on a trip and would like to purchase your own equipment, we have some from Jagged Edge that we can arrange for you to purchase at a discount.
