This is my journey beyond the ordinary. Looking at the picture now, I still could not believe I am the same person in the picture. I am not a fearless person nor am I in any way a trained professional climber. I’m just a city dweller who doesn’t even exercise regularly. But I love the mountains, and this year, I decided to climb Piz Trovat Via Ferrata in Switzerland.
Piz Trovat Via Ferrata
Trail Description
The via Ferrata (Italian for “iron way”) is a mountain route equipped with steel cables, ladders, and other fixed anchors, for example wooden walkways and suspended bridges.
The artificial equipment renders feasible an exposed route even to the inexperienced climber, and allows those not versed in climbing technique to hike on ledges, climb vertical walls, and reach the peaks of mountains. On these routes the risk of a fatal fall is minimized by having a steel cable run along the trail – to which you can attach yourself with a via ferrata set.
300 vertical metres, 500 steps, 600 m of cables and a cable bridge. This via ferrata is not for the faint of hearts! The starting point is an easy 30 minute walks from the Diavolezza cable car summit station. From the starting point, it is an easy climb through 2 ladder systems before coming to the middle section. There are awesome views in this section including a cable bridge that connect 2 mountains.
From here, there are two routes up Piz Trovat (3146 m) submit. Piz Trovat I offers manageable difficulties, general K2 levels (moderately difficult) which is suitable for beginners with a section of K3 (difficult). Climbers should be generally fit, sure-footed and have a good head for heights.
Piz Trovat II is extremely difficult with long overhanging passages; K5 to K6. This route is definitely for climbers with experience. Check the blog for details
This climb can be completed in 3 hours including a simple descent on the other side of the PIz Trovat submit.
Equipment Required: Via Ferrata climbing kit (can be rented from most sport shops in nearby town ~ 25 eur per day), helmet, gloves, a small backpack and a good flexible hiking shoes. The required Via Ferrata climbing kit can be hired in the GoVertical Shop at the Diavolezza valley station. It cost around 25 eur per day.
Check the temperature before the climb and do not wear too many layers as climbing will induce sweating. Many don’t realize that, when it comes to rock climbing, especially if you’re out for a long journey, the clothes you wear are almost as important as your harness, shoes, and the REST OF YOUR EQUIPMENT. It also doesn’t matter how good the rock is—if you’re uncomfortable, you won’t enjoy the ascent. Highly recommended breathable clothing that takes away moisture from your body. The small backpack should have additional clothing in case of weather changes and a small bottle of water.
Hiring a guide is not necessary but recommended for first timer.
Via Ferrata is a secured hiking trail where you can climb the inaccessible parts of mountain via ladders, ramps and cables fixed to the rock ledge. It can be considered as the middle point between hiking and climbing. Equipment needed is a harness, a via ferrata kit and a helmet. Your experience will be more comfortable if you wear padded fingerless gloves and take a small rucksack.
Among all the trails I have been, this trail is the most “rugged” and closest to a real professional climbing experience as one could get.
Finding the Starting Point
The starting point of this climb is just a 30 minutes walk from the Diavolezza top station, where climbers can enjoy a climbing experience while taking in magnificent panoramic views of glaciers and snow mountains.
Walking to the starting point
Piz Trovat Base
At first glance, the summit of Piz Trovat (At 3146 meters) seems daunting but still relatively doable. The route starts at around 2,850 meters and, without delay, one should reach the summit in 3 hours after traversing around 500 steps, two ladders and a bridge across a mountain trough.
Finding the starting point was not that easy amongst the tons of rock. There was no clear signage to point us to the right direction
Finally we found the entrance. The weather was hotter than I expected. Hard to predict the weather up in the mountain. For via ferrata, a good weather is a must. Rain, snow or windy condition would make the climb dangerous.
Initial Climb
The initial climb was taxing, but it was still manageable. We could still smile and enjoy the view during the climb.
The 2 clips that kept us safe.
During the climb, we only saw one other climber on via ferrata. It is nice meeting another fellow climber and we had a brief chat. It is not a comfortable chat though since we are hanging on the side of the rock wall.
Arriving at the middle section
Middle Section
The path on the right is for professional climber only. Via Ferrata difficulty level in Switzerland is graded from K1 to K6. For beginners, I would suggest K1 or K2 level first. This is the second time for me on Via Ferrata, so K2 to K3 is a bit tough. It is extremely important to prepare well and to know and respect your limits for via ferrata climb.
Piz Trovat
Middle Section
Love this part of the climb. The scenery, rugged rock cliff and exposed ledges really makes us feel that we are on a thrilling adventure. Mountain climbing are special. Maybe it is because they are dangerous or maybe it is because they make us feel so small. Whatever the reason, the experience will remain in my memory for a long time.
Suspension Bridge Crossing
After crossing the bridge, I was shocked to see the path ahead of me. It was almost a vertical cliff with a 300 meter drop. I did not foresee this part of the climb as I had not seen any images of the vertical cliff while planning for the trip. Now I know why, no one will take pictures while climbing this challenging section.
Bridge Crossing
Challenging Vertical Climb
My strategy during the entire climb was to just focus on the steel bars in front of me. I could not handle the distraction of looking up nor looking down. One step at a time is my goal.
Piz Trovat
Final Section
Incredible Experience!
People often ask me how I felt after the climb. To be honest, I could not really put the feeling into words. It was definitely not as blissful and elating as seen in the pictures below, but rather it was a feeling of calmness and relief. Relief after the ordeal, and calmness after the turmoil. Perhaps I was humbled by the experience of what was beyond the ordinary.
One Response
Very nice photos and meaningful sharing of insights of the extraordinary journeys. The amount of effort to compile all these into a web page is truly amazing! Thank you for sharing!