Via ferrata: The peak of our New Zealand time
Today we woke up a little later than usual, but not so late that we missed our via ferrata climbing appointment. Mom stayed at the camper today and went for a bike ride, while Dad, Poppy and I took a drive to the mountains. Today we were scheduled to do via ferrata, which is a kind of waterfall rock climbing with metal rungs. Via, translating to way, and ferrata, meaning iron.
Poppy and I approaching a small summit towards the end of our climb
When we got there, we were one of about four different groups of people. We were in the level one group, which is the easier climb, and there was also a good number of people doing the level two climb, which is the harder and longer climb. We walked to the base of the waterfall, and we started climbing on a practice run. After everyone completed that, we walked to the beginning of the climb. Since we were the last group to go, we could see the other groups above us on our climb.
Poppy and I working together to switch over our cables on the wire
The group was just me, Poppy, and Dad. There was also a man named Pat who was from Ireland with us, and our guide, Dolce. We started climbing, and ended up having a bit of a canyon in one of the flatter sections of the waterfall. Every time we went up a level, there was a little pool. The first area had a vertical “wall walk,” where we had to side step with our backs exposed, but as we went, there were more and more diagonal and vertical climbs.
The group taking a rest next to a small waterfall before heading to the next bridge
Every once in a while we would encounter a short bridge, but at the end there was a very long (100 ft) bridge that was a bit unstable. Most of us got across OK, but Dad struggled a bit. he was the last one to cross, and I could tell he was a bit fearful of the long drop below. He did all right on the other tough sections, though. My favorite part was when we had some longer and tougher sections, because I think I could’ve been a little more challenged and done level two. My least favorite part was when Poppy would go above me and kick dirt into my face. I did not like that.
Poppy climbing over a river on a sideways angle
Crossing our longest bridge after reaching the top of the climb
Poppy, Pat, Dolce, and I hanging off the 100 ft. bridge!
After the climb, we walked down the hill next to the waterfall and ended up back at the base. Pat then drove us into town for some lunch. He dropped us off at a restaurant and kept driving. We got some nachos, cauliflower wings, and potato wedges. I enjoyed it very much, but Dad didn’t. After that, we walked into a few stores, then went home.
We showed mom the photos, then we spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach, and at the campsite hanging out for dinner we had homemade pizza, and Poppy and I ate it while watching TV in the warm trailer next to our RV at the campground. That was probably one of my favorite nights of the trip. It reminded me of when I would go home from school and spend the Friday nights watching Raven‘s home and doing my magnets. I think when we get home I’ll do that again.
Us and our guide, Dolce