20 things to remember before getting on

After talking with friends, reading books, attending courses and trips on aided paths, we came to the day to go out and climb a via ferrata, our first via ferrata. I still remember the driving school practice exam day. I knew I could drive. But the promotion is played in a practical test where you must not go wrong. In the mountains, the tests we face generally require us not to make mistakes or, more precisely, a serious error can have serious consequences, unfortunately sometimes fatal. We make a quick summary of 20 notions to always remember, especially during the first exit on a via ferrata.

1. The number to call in case of need for intervention of the rescue is the 118. Where already active (Trentino Alto Adige to 2018) you can call 112.
2. Inquire about the itinerary remembering that often if you start a via ferrata you will have to complete it because descending it is more demanding than completing it. This applies to the difficulty level of the route, to the approach and return to avoid unpleasant surprises. Our reports indicate the difficulty of the via ferrata included in the itinerary that includes approach and return. For more information on the ladder used by our site and on the other ladders used in neighboring countries, here our in-depth article.
3. "In ferrata you don't fall", or rather you must avoid falling. Use all artificial brackets, handholds and foot supports available to avoid a fall. The main reason is given by the high potential Fall Factor that can be generated. For clarification on the Fall Factor, Click our article here.
4. Maintain the safety distance between those ahead of us and those who follow us: we need at least two fictitious evictions between us and those who follow to avoid clashing in the event of a fall.
5. Always check the weather from (at least) two reliable sources e do not follow via ferrata in case of bad weather.
6. Absolutely avoid climbing via ferratas in case of possible temporal: the metal structures of the via ferrata become lightning rods and we have become attached with probably fatal consequences.
7. Always have at least 1 carabiner attached to the self-insurance rope. If by chance we would slip out of hand, let's recover it and hook it without dropping the other without panicking.
8. Check it state of the equipment: the harness must be tightened and the ribbons pulled so that it adheres well to our body; the via ferrata set hooked with a choke knot (no carabiner or ferrule) to the service loop of the harness; the helmet must be worn already from the approach, to be tightened and positioned perpendicular to our head without leaving the forehead uncovered.
9. Do not use via ferrata set built at home.
10. About the timing to cover the entire itinerary, consider what can happen if there were something unexpected and consider a safety margin.
11. With the exception of the overhanging sections, it can be comfortable accompany the lanyards placing them around an elbow so as to have the carabiners nearby for the carabiner change near one of the anchorages.
12. Give yourself time to look for the supports for the feet he handholds that will help you in the progression avoiding to always pull on the cable. With point 3 above in mind, this kind of progression is much more fun and rewarding.
13. The panic it is one of our worst enemies in the mountains: the emptiness that surrounds us, the technical difficulties of a route, possible situations around us can put us out of the comfort zone. Panicking can lead us to make mistakes and make irrational choices. It is necessary to keep calm and, although the universal antidote is the accumulated experience, it is necessary to keep oneself lucid and use logic, eventually calling for help.
14. An often overlooked danger is i falling stones from above: if we hear the sound of falling stones we avoid looking up and let's try to protect ourselves.
15. If we walk on stretches of downhill ferrata, keep attached to the rope and push ourselves out to look for the feet support and proceed with caution. If we want to take a downhill ferrata, we check if it is allowed. For clarifications in this regard, here is our article.
16. Always have enough with you water, food and a raincoat even in summer and for short itineraries.
17. Replace the harness and the via ferrata set in the event of a fall.
18. Attention to any signs along the route. If there are parts of the itinerary that are closed or in a state of maintenance, they are generally indicated.
19. If you follow a suspended bridge, hook the carabiners so that, in the event of a fall, we hang on the highest possible point and from which it is easier to stand up again on the bridge.
20. Traveling on a via ferrata must be one fun, not a race, enjoy the climb e pay attention at the end of the climb, remembering that you will be only halfway through the trip. The trip will end when you return to the car.

Good via ferrata to all!