general information
After I proposed and sold the idea of a via ferrata to the owner of the Unterstell tram I planned and laid out the routes, hired a geologist to assess the rock quality and a structural engineer to help with the design of the suspension bridge. After the preparations where concluded and all the necessary permits had been granted, I began the actual construction of the via ferrata, which was completed in four weeks with the help of two more persons. I was also in charge of naming the different sections and the design of brochure for the via ferrata.
http://www.unterstell.it
Training and family via ferrata on the Knott at Unterstell
The Knott (which means “rock” in Tyrolean dialect) at the Unterstell farm can reflect upon an eventful past. After the manmade lake in Schnalstal was constructed and a gigantic pipe ferried the water to the powerhouse in Naturns, the hydro company then needed a small maintenance tram. The tower of the tram was built right on the Knott and remained there until the tram was shut down. Shortly afterward the farmer of Unterstell planned and installed a marvelous skywalk on the Knott. And today, directly under the skywalk, a training and family via ferrata has been masterfully engineered; most definitely one of the first of its kind in Südtirol! Many novice via ferrata climbers have found themselves searching for a training facility in order to prepare for longer and harder climbs. Until now this was almost impossible. Families with active children have faced the same challenge. Where is it possible to explore or try a via ferrate with all levels: easy, medium or hard climbing?
All this has become possible on the Knott. The via ferrata is divided into multiple routes. To be precise there are four routes, two steep ladders, a suspended bridge and a short connector track between two routes, which allows for avoiding a difficult traverse.
A climber who is already experienced can start the climb at the very bottom. A leisurely walk of 15 minutes from the mountain station of the Unterstell tram will take climbers to the salamander pillar, called Sally. A couple of metal steps help to get started and lead up to the saucer overhang (the artificial steps are reminiscent of saucers). The approximately 3 m high overhang is difficult and tricky to master. Strength and technique are a necessity. After that particular section the climb is steep, but less challenging. The giant overhang presents itself as very intimidating; however, with the help of artificial steps, it is easy to master the monster. Immediately following is the big foot bridge; 33 metal feet make the crossing a breeze!
The suspended bridge can also be accessed via a small trail, which forks off the approach trail to the skywalk. An easy route begins on the other side of the bridge: the Turtle. The attentive observers will be able to discern the gigantic rock turtle lingering above the climb right away. Shortly after the bridge, the routes split. Turtle becomes steep and exposed, but easy to climb, and leads straight up to the buttress head. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of a fairly easy traverse to the right known as the friction traverse, which will lead to the route little Monkey, and subsequently to the exit. Turtle instead hauls straight up to the exit near the skywalk.
At the first turnoff after the big foot bridge a difficult and exposed section leads to the right; known as the squirrel traverse. After the pizza step at the end of this difficult passage, the route splits. Little Monkey leads straight up to the first sky ladder. It is necessary to climb the elephant belly shortly before reaching the ladder, and this requires a certain level of strength and skill. The ascent along the ladder is easy. The following section leads to the exit, and has to be mastered using the friction technique, by pressing the soles of the shoe against the rock.
At the turnoff after the Squirrel traverse it is possible to climb to the right along the dinosaur route, called Rocky. The exposed, but easy to climb ghost trail is navigated via many artificial steps downward and over to the right. The second, very steep sky ladder requires strength and skill, and is accessed by climbing over a short and easy overhang. At the end of the ladder a very exposed traverse leads to the right. At the beginning a couple of artificial steps help the climber; afterward, the rest is friction climbing. The route passes under the skywalk and beyond to a short, steep pillar over which the exit is reached.
This section of the via ferrata is called the good Ghost of Unterstell. Before the drilling on the ghost commenced, the builders asked the spirit if it was okay to complete the work. As can be observed, the good Ghost benevolently agreed; the right traverse follows directly along the line of his eyelid.
The training and family via ferrata on the Knott offers a wonderful array of everything. Easy routes, difficult sections, exposed paths and technical parts. There is also a marvelous suspended bridge and two steep ladders. On the Knott one can climb as long and as much desired. At any time of the day, because the approach and the descent are short.
Technical details
• Route Sally: 50 m steel cable – grade B–B/C–D
• Route Turtle: 40 m steel cable – grade B
• Route little Monkey: 50 m steel cable – one ladder – grade A–B–C/D
• Route Rocky: 60 m steel cable – one very steep ladder – grade A–B–B/C
• Big foot bridge: length 20 m with 33 metal feet – difficulty: Easy
• Friction traverse: length 6 m – grade A–C
Read Morehttp://www.unterstell.it
Training and family via ferrata on the Knott at Unterstell
The Knott (which means “rock” in Tyrolean dialect) at the Unterstell farm can reflect upon an eventful past. After the manmade lake in Schnalstal was constructed and a gigantic pipe ferried the water to the powerhouse in Naturns, the hydro company then needed a small maintenance tram. The tower of the tram was built right on the Knott and remained there until the tram was shut down. Shortly afterward the farmer of Unterstell planned and installed a marvelous skywalk on the Knott. And today, directly under the skywalk, a training and family via ferrata has been masterfully engineered; most definitely one of the first of its kind in Südtirol! Many novice via ferrata climbers have found themselves searching for a training facility in order to prepare for longer and harder climbs. Until now this was almost impossible. Families with active children have faced the same challenge. Where is it possible to explore or try a via ferrate with all levels: easy, medium or hard climbing?
All this has become possible on the Knott. The via ferrata is divided into multiple routes. To be precise there are four routes, two steep ladders, a suspended bridge and a short connector track between two routes, which allows for avoiding a difficult traverse.
A climber who is already experienced can start the climb at the very bottom. A leisurely walk of 15 minutes from the mountain station of the Unterstell tram will take climbers to the salamander pillar, called Sally. A couple of metal steps help to get started and lead up to the saucer overhang (the artificial steps are reminiscent of saucers). The approximately 3 m high overhang is difficult and tricky to master. Strength and technique are a necessity. After that particular section the climb is steep, but less challenging. The giant overhang presents itself as very intimidating; however, with the help of artificial steps, it is easy to master the monster. Immediately following is the big foot bridge; 33 metal feet make the crossing a breeze!
The suspended bridge can also be accessed via a small trail, which forks off the approach trail to the skywalk. An easy route begins on the other side of the bridge: the Turtle. The attentive observers will be able to discern the gigantic rock turtle lingering above the climb right away. Shortly after the bridge, the routes split. Turtle becomes steep and exposed, but easy to climb, and leads straight up to the buttress head. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of a fairly easy traverse to the right known as the friction traverse, which will lead to the route little Monkey, and subsequently to the exit. Turtle instead hauls straight up to the exit near the skywalk.
At the first turnoff after the big foot bridge a difficult and exposed section leads to the right; known as the squirrel traverse. After the pizza step at the end of this difficult passage, the route splits. Little Monkey leads straight up to the first sky ladder. It is necessary to climb the elephant belly shortly before reaching the ladder, and this requires a certain level of strength and skill. The ascent along the ladder is easy. The following section leads to the exit, and has to be mastered using the friction technique, by pressing the soles of the shoe against the rock.
At the turnoff after the Squirrel traverse it is possible to climb to the right along the dinosaur route, called Rocky. The exposed, but easy to climb ghost trail is navigated via many artificial steps downward and over to the right. The second, very steep sky ladder requires strength and skill, and is accessed by climbing over a short and easy overhang. At the end of the ladder a very exposed traverse leads to the right. At the beginning a couple of artificial steps help the climber; afterward, the rest is friction climbing. The route passes under the skywalk and beyond to a short, steep pillar over which the exit is reached.
This section of the via ferrata is called the good Ghost of Unterstell. Before the drilling on the ghost commenced, the builders asked the spirit if it was okay to complete the work. As can be observed, the good Ghost benevolently agreed; the right traverse follows directly along the line of his eyelid.
The training and family via ferrata on the Knott offers a wonderful array of everything. Easy routes, difficult sections, exposed paths and technical parts. There is also a marvelous suspended bridge and two steep ladders. On the Knott one can climb as long and as much desired. At any time of the day, because the approach and the descent are short.
Technical details
• Route Sally: 50 m steel cable – grade B–B/C–D
• Route Turtle: 40 m steel cable – grade B
• Route little Monkey: 50 m steel cable – one ladder – grade A–B–C/D
• Route Rocky: 60 m steel cable – one very steep ladder – grade A–B–B/C
• Big foot bridge: length 20 m with 33 metal feet – difficulty: Easy
• Friction traverse: length 6 m – grade A–C
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