Fox Via Ferrata (Nordegg)

 5 July 2021

Fox Via Ferrata, David Thompson Corridor Climbing Association, +180 m, rated: Blue, 3.5 hours. 

Roman Lipiecki approaching the crux on the Fox Via Ferrata. 

Finally, the last test of Boris Bokov's Three-Day Intensive arrived - Fox Via Ferrata! We drove from Lake Louise to near Nordegg and parked right after the bridge on Clive River. 

Then we tested our equipment. In Asia's case it was, what my good friend, Judy, refers to as - "borderline sexual harassment!"

In the end Asia didn't seem to mind that much. Notice the name "Jacek" on her helmet. This helmet used to belong to our Dear Friend, Jacek Wojno, who, by donating his whole equipment to the club, made this experience possible. 

We walked about 40 minutes toward the wall seen in the background ...

... making sure that Roman doesn't fall into the creek (see Helen Lake photostory). 

The approach trail is quite steep and rough in some spots. 

Nevertheless, to the very start of the ferrata we were accompanied by these graces (and also Mike). 

It looked rather intimidating and very ... vertical.

Not surprisingly my body language communicated a bit of ... ambitendency! 

At the same time Łukasz appeared totally cool!

Roman hit the ferrata first and soon he was blustering. He was followed by Łukasz and Boris. 

Luckily for me, Asia went next ...

... and her bum had become my "guiding star!" 

Whenever shaking, I looked up and all the horrors of the ferrata were disappearing on me immediately. 

Another thing that helped us to control fear was a constant need to clip and unclip carabiners. 

Soon we reached a little ledge that allowed us to rest a bit ... 

... before the final overhang. 

Roman again went first. In my 40 years old Cassin helmet ...

... he looked as if he was doing this kind of things all his life!

I didn't dare to look down, but Boris did and he took this picture of Asia and myself over the "terrible, horrifying precipice." At this point we were about 150 meters above the ground. 

Seeing the end of the ferrata Asia tried some "woltyżerka" (stretches?). 

They were already relaxing by the time I reached the top. 

We took a few commemorative pictures. 

I even stroke a "macho pose." At the age of 67, I was not quite sure if I can still do things like this. Luckily, in the wall my body recovered a few "moves" from the time I was climbing as a young man. I was glad to discover that I "still had it in me!"

The "horrors of the wall" behind us, on the descent Asia ...

... and Lukasz blew off some steam!

Boris was also visibly happy and ... relieved! No one hurt him/herself on his watch. Quite opposite, 15 people had a lot of fun over three days! This extended weekend was a "smashing success!"

My thrills were not over yet however! Upon return to the car, some Red-Hair Beauty checked me ... for tics!

This was almost as exciting as the ferrata itself! 

What a weekend! What a trip! 

Until the next time ...

For the 10-minute movie from this climb, please, click on: https://youtu.be/-TDjSkr0YSg

(PR)