“The Ultimate Active Experience in the Dolomites”
Dolomites via ferrata
Littleton, CO, February 22, 2010 – Adventure travel company Dolomite Mountains offers travelers the unique experience of mountain climbing a via ferrata.
Via ferrata (or iron road) is a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, ladders, and bridges. The use of these allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities. It is a different way of enjoying the sheer magnificence of the awesome Dolomite environment - travelers will be stopped in their tracks by amazing views and mountain situations.
Many via ferratas were originally built to aid movements of alpine military units during the First World War, and now (although they also exist in other countries including Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland) they represent one of the major attractions in the Dolomites. They are, in effect, a range of protected routes, comprised of fixed cables, ladders and even gorge-spanning bridges, which aid ascent to places normally reserved for expert rock climbers. Routes are graded according to difficulty.
Via ferrata climbing is suitable for everyone not afraid of heights who wants to experience the Dolomites in a different way. Cables and ladders aid even the non-expert climbers to do beautiful via ferratas. There are many via ferratas of different difficulties so everyone can do what suits best.
The first via ferratas were built in the Dolomite mountain region of Italy during the First World War, to aid the movement of mountain infantry. Whilst in other regions the via ferratas were built for turism, the ones in the Dolomites are mostly of historical origin. Probably the most unusual via ferrata in the eastern part of the Dolomites is VF Lagazuoi Tunnels. Fighting for control of Mount Lagazuoi in World War I, Austrian and Italian troops built a series of tunnels through the mountains. The aim of each side was to tunnel close to the enemy and detonate explosives to destroy their fortifications. Some of the tunnels have been restored, with a via ferrata following the route of one of these. It is now possible to descend into the mountain by following the VF Lagazuoi Tunnels route.
“It is a different way of enjoying the sheer magnificence of this awesome mountain environment in which you will be stopped in your tracks by amazing views and mountain situations. You can experience the via ferrata even if you are new to it. To make this fascinating ‘game’ even safer, we supply simple mountaineering equipment such as a harness, helmet, some rope and a few karabiners,” comments Agustina Lagos Marmol, Founder of Dolomite Mountains. “Your guide will teach you how to use the equipment and give you hints on climbing techniques in complete security. Trips are adapted to clients abilities and our local guides will show not only the beauty of the mountains but the history of the area though the via ferrata as they were built during WW1.”
Around 1850, English mountaineers began to appear in the Ladin valleys. Their journeys took them several days on foot and their destinations were the imposing rock faces and peaks of the Dolomites. From 1870 onwards, train connections and large hotels attracted the nobility who, without exerting themselves too much, could restore themselves with the pure mountain air and the alpenglow. The inhabitants of the Dolomite valleys found themselves at the service of the guests in various ways; as hotel personnel, as mountain guides and in other roles. Some of them, soon started their own businesses and, around 1900, began to teach new winter sports to their guests. After 1945, tourism became the most important business sector in the Dolomites.
A tourist mecca, the Dolomites are famous for skiing in the winter months and mountain climbing, daily excursions, climbing and Base Jumping, as well as paragliding and hang gliding in summer and late spring/early autumn. Free climbing has been a tradition in the Dolomites since 1887, when 17-year-old Georg Winkler soloed the first ascent of the pinnacle Die Vajolettürme.
To learn more about Dolomite Mountains and the unique adventures they offer, please visit: http://dolomitemountains.com or call (347) 826-6271
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For over fifteen years the staff at Dolomite Mountains has been providing the ultimate active experience and crafting adventures to help travelers uncover, with style, the region’s true spirit. Adventure opportunities include hiking, biking, skiing, climbing and experiencing the thrills of a Via Ferrata. The only local company in the Dolomites specializing and providing unique experiences in adventure travel, Dolomite Mountains seeks to provide every adventurer with the experience of a lifetime.
For more information visit: http://dolomitemountains.com or call (347) 826-6271
