Telluride Via Ferrata

[ToddG]

  One of these years I'm going to do the Via Ferrata route in the canyon. Hopefully sooner than later. I have my own gear, but would be down for using a guide service too.

Have any of you done this? Did you rent gear, bring gear. Did you hire a guide service? How long does it take? Should I commit an entire day to do it? If you did pay for a local outfitter/guide do you feel it was worth the cost? Would you do it again?

Finally, would anyone want to try and get a group together to do this on Sunday or Monday morning pre festival? Group rates are cheaper than single rates, and like most everything its more fun with others.

Cheers 

 Listening to: Beck

[Pass Port]

Todd,

Last year a few members of Crossroads did it on their own. They climb and brought their own gear.

[tupelohoney]

I've always been interested in doing this as well and will be in town for the fest! I've heard that Telluride Mountain Guides are great and their website gives pricing information: http://www.telluridemountainguiding.com/via-ferrata/

If you end up getting a group together I would be interested!

 Listening to: GD Madison Square Garden 1/7/79

[FaceOnMars]

There's also:

https://mountaintrip.com/tellurides-local-mountain-guides/via-ferrata/

[pksmith]

Hey Todd - we will get a couple of crews on the Ferrata before the festival but usually during the week when it's not so busy. I'll bring in extra gear including the Y-lanyards and helmets. We usually carpool up to the start point below Ingram Falls, it takes two-ish hours (one way down valley) depending on how many folks are on the cable route. If you round trip it and do both directions then you avoid the private property issue. If you use a guide service locally, they will do the round trip only, I believe.

Its fun and airy (especially the Main Event segment) and the elevated views of Bridal Veil are unparalleled. You are welcome to join us when we do it but it will be during the week. See me during pre-fest Sunday Amen Ramen feastivation or Tuesday beer bottle share if you want to go with our crews.

  Cheers and happy new year!

Paul

 Listening to: Toots and the Maytals

[Pass Port]

How much gear do you have Paul? I might want to be considered for this airy festivation!

[pksmith]

Pass Port - greetings & HNY Great American Beer festivarian newbie  . I will bring three extra harnesses, helmets and Y-lanyards with locking carabiners. I'll see how many HulaGanz climbers will pre-fest this year but you're welcome to tag along. I'm guessing that Mon-Wed pre-fest will be possible Ferrata days, weather permitting. Be forewarned, our crew(s) will be wearing their tarp running onesies & outfits on the Ferrata as well....

I thought I read last summer that the Telluride Mountain Club submitted (and was approved by the Forest Service) for a usage plan to add a second ferrata on the opposite valley wall in the canyon. Clearly a popular public land recreation option in that Forest Service ranger district.

See you in June!

Paul

[armmon]

 i'd love to check out the Via Ferrata ... got my own gear except for a Y-lanyard (could pick one up) ... would prefer to go without a guide service ...
 
 we'll be in Town Park and would like to go early week ...
 
 what's the deal with private property ?  don't want to trespass where we're not welcome ...
 
.

[pksmith]

Armmon - hi, the private property issue is only in play IF you do the ferrata one way (Ingram Falls to down valley), not round trip. I know that the Telluride Mountain Club is actively working on getting a right of way easement for this small segment that is not on the cable route but rather on the trail approach if you hike in from below the mine. Again if you start the ferrata below the water fall and do the cable route as an out-and-back, there is no breach onto the private property. I've seen San Juan Mountain Guides with their clients do the round trip only. I'm guessing that TMtC will obtain the easement if in fact a second ferrata is being planned with the USFS.

Jagged Edge and maybe other in town outdoor stores probably will rent the Y-lanyard, most likely with the shock bumpers.

 
Paul

 Listening to: Rhiannon Giddens

[armmon]

 thanks Paul !  wasn't sure whether an out-and-back option might lead to a bottleneck with parties heading in both directions when they reach a crux ?
 
 we walked up toward Bridal Veil Falls a few years ago ... vaguely remember the dirt road dead-ending near a building ... we didn't see an obvious start to the Via Ferrata route but we didn't have gear with us anyway ...
 
 mapper.acme.com shows two roads heading east up over passes out of Telluride (Black Bear Pass Road and Tomboy Road) but those roads have probably seen their better days (no longer passable?)
 
 are there any decent treks up from the canyon ?  near La Junta Peak, Three Needles, Telluride Peak, etc ?
 

[ToddG]

Sweet. I've got the gear, we'll talk at Ramen!

[ToddG]

thanks Paul !  wasn't sure whether an out-and-back option might lead to a bottleneck with parties heading in both directions when they reach a crux ?
 
 we walked up toward Bridal Veil Falls a few years ago ... vaguely remember the dirt road dead-ending near a building ... we didn't see an obvious start to the Via Ferrata route but we didn't have gear with us anyway ...
 
 mapper.acme.com shows two roads heading east up over passes out of Telluride (Black Bear Pass Road and Tomboy Road) but those roads have probably seen their better days (no longer passable?)
 
 are there any decent treks up from the canyon ?  near La Junta Peak, Three Needles, Telluride Peak, etc ?
 

When I was in high school in the late 80's my Dad and I rode from Ouray to Telluride coming over Black Bear through Camp Bird. I've seen more modern youtube videos of folks doing it in 4 wheel drives, so I assume its still quite passable. It's a 4 wheel drive only road, and probably best to have a bit of experience, but nothing a regular joe couldn't do.

[pksmith]

Armmon - definitely can be a bottleneck on the ferrata with round trippers...just need to be aware of who's coming toward you and if you can pass with at least your feet on solid ground. I don't think the approach is marked...there is/was a small bridge across the Ingram Falls outflow adjacent to the road to the power plant. I'd just look for folks on the route.

There's plenty of hiking from town, I'd pick up a trails guide in town or download an app like Gaia or AllTrails. I like the Sneffels High Line loop and Ballard Peak but both are dependent on late season snow pack. The Wasatch trail up high is worth exploring but again prevailing snowpack in June will be the issue.

Paul

[KMurf]

Oh my gosh that sounds so fun.   Makes me sad I'm getting old and fat.   Headed to the gym now.   lol

[ToddG]

Monica got me a Petzl Scorpio Vertigo lanyard, and a new three pack of locking carabiners for my B-Day!! So I'm all set! I guess she really loves me, and doesn't want me to die!

 Listening to: Ramones