Experience Climbing Via Ferrata near Annecy
Jun 23rd, 2009 by lakeannecyexpert
Another gorgeous day on lake Annecy, too windy too paraglide and not enough time to go for a long hike. What about some save climbing near lake Annecy. Save climbing you may ask, does that exist? Let me introduce the concept of Via Ferrata to you.
It is 4pm and I fancy some exercise on the rocks and some vertical excitement. I decided to drive up to Thones towards the Aravis mountain chain. Thones is just 30 min drive from my house in Doussard, actually 3o min drive from almost anywhere on lake Annecy. Just enough drive time to get the adrenaline going and visual the vertical climb overlooking some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the French Alps.
Via Ferrata is climbing along a fixed metal rope. There is no need for carabiners and belaying, just a simple harness required. Hence a very save way of climbing and a great way of experiencing vertical limits without the risk. Climbing harnesses are available (to buy or hire) in most mountaineering shops and there are plenty on the way. A good harness will cost you about £100 depending where you buy. If you not sure you like the sport you can always hire on the first time.
I have done the Via Ferrata in Thones on many occasions but it never gets any less spectacular, especially on sunny warm summer evening. The largely vertical face contains several short but sometimes difficult overhangs. It is not for beginners and requires a little stamina. At the end of the climb is the Hermit very difficult overhang. The official warning: “if you are not fresh or in a good shape, and if you cannot support your weight with the force of your arms during several minutes, this overhang is not for you.”
I started my ascent at 5pm, the face looked almost clear, just two people half way up the face. It is Monday after all. It tends to be a lot more busy on weekends. The face is west facing and in the sun all the way up until late evenings. You will need water on the way bring at least a one liter bottle.
The official sign indicates 2 to 2 1/2 hours for the climb and walk back to the car park. The great thing about this Via Ferrata is that it start with a shocker that get you juices flowing. I always love the face when i take novice for this climb when they look at the monkey bridge they have traverse at the beginning of the climb. The bridge is basically a thin metal rope to stand on and a thin on to hold on to. You have to traverse across to reach the first vertical face. Doing so you stare down the 100m towards Thones. The monkey bridge sheds the firs adrenaline and the verticals and overhangs feel almost like a save heaven thereafter.
I made my way up swiftly along a good series of crossings, flagstones and rather stiff slopes always in oblique towards the left. Three quarters of the way up I caught up with the two guys ahead of me. Thankfully they let me pass so i made it to the last overhang inside 50 min. Few minutes rest, enjoying the view down the valley and up the Aravis before I tackled the overhang.
Gravity really pulls you down and strains your arms and shoulders. The first time I did this i was panicking a little which caused even more pain, especially if you are at the 95kg mark. I have learned to plan your moves and visualise where you put your hands and feet before you start climbing. I managed the overhang inside five minutes but the last few meters felt really painful. It is almost as if all your blood flows into your arms and shoulders and than drains away. One has to admire those crazy climbers who do these things without the benefit of a fixed rope.
If you are reading this, thinking this is not for me! I am pleased to say there are a number of entry level Via Ferratas nearby:
Via ferrata du col des Aravis, La Clusaz: Built in the cliffs surrounding the “Col des Aravis”, it is the easiest Via Ferrata near lake annecy. You climb slowly, gain altitude and can enjoy the views. There is a nice cable bridge in the middle of the trip. At the end, there is a choice between an easy or a more challenging end.
Via ferrata du Jalouvre, Grand Bornand: This via ferrata is in the wild area of Jalouvre Mountain. It is an easy but quite a long one. You can often see Ibex, Marmotta and other wildlife. In fact I have seen all of them each time I did the climb.
Here you go back in Doussard, in front of my house looking down lake Annecy and enjoying the sun lit Tournette opposite. It is 8.30pm
