Aug 22: Defying Gravity In The Alps

1.
Defying Gravity on Via Ferratas:
Imagine you’re standing on a narrow metal rung less than 1/2 inch thick, hundreds of feet above the ground.

As you look down, your heart races, thumping a staccato rhythm in the chest. Each shallow breath is a reminder of vulnerability, a sensation akin to holding one’s life in a fragile bubble. The fear, rooted in survival instincts, urges you to find solid ground.

Instead of seeking safety, you push your amygdala’s warnings aside. 

Why!? 

Because you are here by choice. You’re on a Via Ferrata course, which is Italian for “iron path.”

A Via Ferrata is a system that allows climbers to navigate extreme mountain terrain using fixed cables, ladders, steps, and other aids. 

What equipment do you use to complete this seemingly dangerous route?

You’re wearing a harness, helmet, lanyards, carabiners, and sturdy shoes. 

As you climb, you simply clip and unclip carabiners to a fixed metal cable via lanyards as you climb. If you fail to clip the carabiners correctly, you can certainly fall to your death. 

This begs the age-old question: “Who thought this was a good idea?”

To that, my wife and I join countless of climbers in raising two enthusiastic arms high in the sky. It’s one of our favorite activities. Many of you have asked about Via Ferratas after viewing our adventure pictures. In response to those questions, here’s a quick summary of the fascinating history behind Via Ferratas along with safety considerations to whet your appetite for future adventures.

Brief History of Via Ferratas: 
The origins of Via Ferratas can be traced back to the First World War in Italy. To facilitate troop movements and supply routes, soldiers began installing fixed cables, ladders, and other aids to help traverse the difficult terrain safely and efficiently. After the war, the equipment became popular among mountain enthusiasts seeking a unique and adventurous way to explore the mountains.

As interest grew, local mountaineering clubs and organizations started to develop and maintain these routes, enhancing safety features and opening them up to the public. Via Ferratas have since spread to neighboring countries, and have a growing global presence. 

Safety Considerations for Via Ferrata Participants:

• Participant Experience: The experience level and fitness of participants play a significant role in safety. Novices and inexperienced climbers should stick to easier routes, while more advanced climbers can attempt more challenging courses.
• Weather Conditions: Weather can greatly affect the safety of a Via Ferrata. Slippery conditions due to rain, snow, or ice can increase the risk of falls and accidents.
• Equipment Usage: Proper use of safety equipment, such as helmets, harnesses, Via Ferrata lanyards, and carabiners, is crucial. Inadequate or incorrect use of equipment can lead to accidents.
• Guide or Self-Guided: Some Via Ferratas are guided, meaning participants are led by experienced guides who provide instructions and ensure safety. Others are self-guided, requiring participants to rely on their own skills and judgment.
• Fitness and Health: Adequate physical fitness and health are important factors. Participants should be aware of their own limitations and not push beyond what they are capable of.
• Route Difficulty: The difficulty of the route can impact safety. More challenging routes with exposed sections, steep terrain, and longer lengths may carry higher risks.
• Local Regulations: Regulations and maintenance practices vary by region. Areas with well-maintained Via Ferratas and established safety procedures generally have lower risk profiles.

In summary, we view Via Ferratas as a dance between caution and courage. The thrills come not from recklessness, but from conquering discomfort, from feeling the flutter of fear before facing the precipice and emerging victorious.

Climb on!

2.
No Wars in Switzerland:
Switzerland is committed to peace. It’s one of the aspects I admire most about this great land. For over 500 years, the country’s resolute neutrality has stood as a timeless testament to this fact. Put in another way, war has been a foreign concept on its steadfast soil since 1515. Let that sink in. The entire system is set up to avoid participation in war. This mentality has undoubtedly made an incredible impact over the years. Let’s just consider the trickle down effects of this policy as it relates to the lack of war-related PTSD, and the overall mental health of the inhabitants of a country that insists on living in peace.

What about the world wars? Did they stay out of them as well?

Yes! It’s almost unbelievable that Switzerland shares a border with Germany, and remained neutral during both WW1 and WW2. As a result, the inhabitants miraculously avoided the destruction and upheaval experienced by many other neighboring countries.

You may wonder as I did, “How is this possible“?

The Swiss Alps are a major contributor. They are not just a pretty face to look at. These formidable mountains stood as the silent guardians of Switzerland’s neutrality during wars, their towering peaks and rugged terrain serving as an impenetrable shield. In fact, a whopping 60% of Switzerland’s total land area is covered by mountains.

Here’s how the Swiss Alps played a crucial role in Switzerland’s neutrality:

• Natural Barriers: The challenging terrain, including steep mountains, deep valleys, and narrow passes, made it challenging for invading forces to penetrate Swiss territory. This helped protect Switzerland from military incursions and provided a buffer zone.
• Strategic Defenses: The Swiss military strategically positioned defensive installations, fortifications, and bunkers throughout the Alpine region. These defensive structures, often integrated into the mountainous terrain, were designed to deter or repel any potential aggressors. The Swiss military’s strong focus on these defenses showcased Switzerland’s commitment to maintaining its neutrality.
• Human and Material Resources: The Swiss Alps also provided valuable resources for Switzerland during times of conflict. The mountainous terrain allowed Switzerland to develop a strong self-sustaining economy, as it had access to agriculture, water resources, and hydroelectric power. This self-sufficiency reduced the country’s reliance on external sources.
• Political Will and Diplomacy: Switzerland’s neutrality was not solely reliant on its geography; it also stemmed from its long-standing policy of neutrality and a commitment to avoiding involvement in international conflicts. Swiss diplomats skillfully navigated international relations to maintain this neutrality. The Alps served as a symbol of Swiss independence and resilience.
• International Respect for Neutrality: The Swiss Alps and Switzerland’s consistent policy of neutrality gained international respect. The major powers recognized Switzerland’s stance and understood that violating its neutrality could have broader consequences and implications. As a result, they were generally cautious about respecting Switzerland’s borders and not violating its sovereignty.

In summary, the Swiss have made the most of their magnificent mountains. It’s inspiring. Obviously, not every country is equipped with the Swiss Alps. Let’s not use that as an excuse. Rather, each individual, community, and country has access to unique resources and can use initiative to promote peace. There are no winners in war at any level.