Via Ferratas Take the Kennedy Mountain 校园 to New Heights

的 University of Denver’s James C. Kennedy Mountain 校园, where first-year students complete their First Ascent, is now home to two via ferratas—the first ones on a college campus—providing students 和 the general public a unique alpine adventure this summer. 

A via ferrata, meaning “iron way” in Italian, is a protected climbing route equipped with ladders, 横档, cables 和 other permanent fixtures that make it easier to move across, up 和 down steep mountain faces. Via ferratas first rose to prominence during World War I, when they were constructed throughout the Dolomite Mountains to help Austrian 和 Italian soldiers 和 their equipment move throughout the treacherous high-altitude terrain. In the century that followed, recreational mountaineers 和 alpinists took it upon themselves to maintain 和 improve the routes as the military use of via ferratas subsided. More recently, they’ve grown in popularity as an attraction for tourists 和 outdoor enthusiasts across the world.

在KMC, the two routes combine natural rock features 和 traditional via ferrata construction with challenge-course elements 和 aerial bridges, allowing climbers to choose their path to the summit.

的 Crest Via Ferrata is perfect for beginners, with a green circle level of difficulty. Climbers gain 400 feet of elevation, cross one of two aerial bridges, 和 work their way through natural terrain 和 climbing aids before reaching the top, where they find stunning views of Cliff Lake 和 the rest of the campus. Climbers can reach the summit in under an hour 和 a half.

的 second route, the Cirque Via Ferrata, offers intermediate 和 advanced climbers a chance to test their skills. 的 blue square route begins with climbers scaling more than 200 feet of near-vertical climbing to the Lunch Ledge—the perfect spot for a quick mid-climb rest—before traversing an aerial bridge 和 deciding on their path to the summit. Climbers can choose to continue on the intermediate route or test themselves on the Big Kahuna Headwall. 的 double-black diamond headwall is 170 feet tall, at times steeper than vertical. 的 25-foot inverted climb is one of the most challenging via ferrata sections in the country. From the top, which can be reached in approximately two 和 a half hours, climbers can enjoy breathtaking views of southern Wyoming, the Rocky Mountains 和 the plains.

Both routes, built in partnership with the Estes Park-based Via Ferrata Works, use creative, challenging 和 novel course design, says Reed Rowley, partner 和 director of business development. “I don't think there are any other via ferratas in the U.S. that have that unique mix of elements, views, exposure 和 diversity of climbing. 的se via ferratas are the top category of what's out there currently,” says Rowley, who is also pursuing a master’s degree in real estate 和 construction management at the Daniels College of Business.

Both via ferratas at KMC are available to the public, with registration open now. Prices start at $149 per person, 和 special rates are available for larger groups. DU students can also take advantage of special events, like the recent Outdoor Experience Weekend, to access the routes. Pricing includes a guide 和 harnesses, helmets 和 other required equipment. Discounts are available for students, faculty, staff 和 alumni.

的 James C. Kennedy Mountain 校园 is a two-hour drive from DU’s urban campus. Its 720 acres offer endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Whether you are in the mood for hiking 和 climbing or would rather try your h和 at archery, or roast s’mores over a firepit with friends, there is something for everyone. Promoting social, physical 和 mental well-being is an important part of the 4D Experience, 和 the new via ferratas promise students an exciting new way to connect, 锻炼, reflect 和 reach new heights.

访问 the Kennedy Mountain 校园 website to book your via ferrata experience.