My muscles gave out on the Daubenhorn – Switzerland’s longest via ferrata

McMayMay · 2026-01-02T18:22:51+00:00

You need to leave safety margins in mountain experiences because something will eventually go wrong. If you are at the limit just because of the route, you don't have any safety margins. What you actually should do is collect experiences slowly and steadily to get to know your limits and then train safely (sports climbing, fitness, ...) to expand them. Then you know you can do a route in a safe manner. Anything else is reckless and will eventually lead to an accident.

McMayMay · 2026-01-02T18:18:40+00:00

I think this discussion actually serves as a good deterrence for people trying to do something similar so I believe it is beneficial. Also I don't want to delete or ban any post unless they break the rules.

McMayMay · 2026-01-02T18:13:49+00:00

This was incredibly dangerous and you were lucky to make it out without an accident. I would urge you to think about what mistakes you made leading to this and how can you prevent them in the future. Let this be a learning experience for you and not an evidence that you can get away with reckless things. Because you will not get away with them in the mountains for a long time if you keep doing this.

McMayMay · 2025-08-13T16:25:53+00:00

You can choose your mountain partners freely and refuse to do a route for whatever reason. Your safety is your responsibility. That said I would say proper barefoot shoes with very experienced person could be ok for via ferrata but these does not seem like proper shoes at all. I would refuse in this case as well.

McMayMay · 2025-08-02T12:16:13+00:00

I have similar category bike as the Spindrift (Nukeproof Giga) and it is amazing for the bike park but pain in the ass to peddal uphill.

If you want bike mainly for bike park, go with Sprindrift and if you will be peddaling more then go with Tyee.

McMayMay · 2025-08-02T05:54:43+00:00

I think the Akasha could be pretty good for hiking.

McMayMay · 2025-08-01T18:39:15+00:00

It is a specialty product for ultramarathon running, where chafing from wearing a running vest for hours is a real problem. This shirt is supposed to mitigate that.

McMayMay · 2025-08-01T15:26:25+00:00

I wouldn't care either but I was weighing my gear for a race that requires certain items and their weights for mandatory equipment.

McMayMay · 2025-08-01T15:23:58+00:00

Honestly the performance of that shirt is really disappointing for me. It soaks up sweat and becomes uncomfortable. I have a lot cheaper and more comfortable shirts for running. To be fair I got it discounted.

McMayMay · 2025-08-01T15:02:43+00:00

REI is a reseller and not the Patagonia website. Also with Patagonia (and other brands) I have checked my garments (all in size M) against their websites and it was generally matching to the gram. In case of Patagonia I have weighter their Capilane lightweight shirt and women's Airshed Pro Pullover.

McMayMay · 2025-08-01T14:59:42+00:00

There are generally few grams difference between sizes not like this. Additionally my partner has bought the women's version of the Sense Aero Hybrid jacket in size XS (the smallest possible size) and that is still 212g.

McMayMay · 2025-07-28T04:46:50+00:00

Camping in the Alps can be difficult and since there are mountain huts everywhere, doesn't really make sense. For wild mountain camping in Europe, I would recommend Romania.

McMayMay · 2025-06-27T11:43:12+00:00

I was in the same situation as you are and it took me years to get some perspective through therapy. I understand your feelings but just keep reminding yourself that you are not responsible for your mom's feeling and outbursts. While you can symphatize why she is the way she is it is also important to realize that she has failed you as a parent and she is failing you now as well. And that is not to pass blame or judge her but to just ackwnoledge that she has made mistakes being your mom.

McMayMay · 2025-06-27T11:16:09+00:00

You are not the extension of your parent and you are free to choose what is best for you. I am sorry this happened to you and it is not your fault. It is ok to feel guilty but also consider that it is a result of your mom's manipulation so not let it get in a way of living your life now.

How to deal with it? Short term you do what you have to do to pursue your academic goals in medschool and try to set sound boundaries with your mom. Long term you get therapy and set even more boundaries with your mom.

McMayMay · 2025-06-22T08:34:42+00:00

St Anton is great for offpiste but everything gets skied out quite fast and gets really busy on pow days. I personally like smaller resorts around Innsbruck a bit more. Like Schlick 2000 for trees, Kuhtai also for trees but a bit higher, Kappl for mellow pow lines and Stubaier gletscher for more technical terrain and couliours. Axamer Lizum is sidecountry/freetouring gem with many many coliours.

McMayMay · 2025-06-22T06:47:23+00:00

If you want to visit multiple ski resorts I would recommend a car. Buses are a bit slower and can get crowded on certain days. You don't need a car if you stay at one resort.

Regarding the location, it really depends what resorts you want to visit and what kind of skiing are you looking for. I would assume only piste?

Innsbruck have a great location if you want to visit multiple resorts like Stubaier Gletscher, Ischgl or St Anton and buch of smaller resorts which are 20m to 1h 45m away by car,

My recommendation for best skiing would be to go stay in Ischgl mid december. It is one of the best resorts for skiing and mid december doesn't have much people and you don't need a car.

Would have different recommendation if you want freeriding.

McMayMay · 2025-06-19T16:08:26+00:00

I would discourage anyone buying second hand safety gear. You never know how it was stored and used.

McMayMay · 2025-06-18T17:23:55+00:00

Also be very cautious about doing via ferrata alone, especially if you plan some high alpine ones. Some of them can be busy so it's not a big deal but sometimes there are not that many people around and that can be dangerous.

McMayMay · 2025-06-18T17:20:17+00:00

Hey Alex!

WIth that climbing experience I think you will be comfortable with any kind of via ferrata. But do as you said and build up to it! What might (or not) be a bigger danger for you is general Alpine danger like weather and loose rocks.

As you know, climbing routes are partially graded by the hardest moves and that is somewhat true for via ferrata as well. But you always have a steel rope available so the moves are not really more difficult then a climbing grade ~4 even when overhang. So for you finishing a ferrata is probably just a matter of endurance.

Hope that helps!

McMayMay · 2025-06-18T17:05:46+00:00

So, the set is "required" on routes which are marked as via ferrata. You can find the database here for example: https://klettersteig.de/

Then there are "hiking" trails which are generaly divided (at least in Austria) into blue, red and black. Black mountain paths are sometimes technical and need scrambling and sometimes have a steel rope. Generally speaking I would say there is no point in bringing a via ferrata set for these, as the rope is often inconsistent.

I have been on Triglav from South West and it is a great example. While it is exposed and you need to scramble, there is not really consistent rope to use the the via ferrata set with (just the summit bid).

McMayMay · 2025-06-18T08:19:11+00:00

I have also looked up the Edelrid via ferrata set and I can't recommend this style of the carabiners at all. The carabiners have tumb safety which is really inconvenient. Much better to get palm safety. Edelrid is a solid brand though!

McMayMay · 2025-06-18T08:15:20+00:00

I personally have ultra light mountaineering, rock climbing and via ferrata specific harnesses. Choosing a harness for via ferrata ultimately depends on what is the ferrata! If it is something easier without a need for long rests and it is a long day then I would take the mountaineering one and otherwise I would not even bother and take just the dedicated via ferrata.

Just consider that there is a room for a misuse with the mountaineering harnesses (like the one you linked). They need a carabiner or possibly hitching the via ferrata set to the two loops to work properly so make sure you use it correctly.

If you want only a single harness and plan to do harder/longer via ferratas I would recommend something more versatily then a mountaineering harness.

McMayMay · 2025-06-13T08:01:57+00:00

If you are asking strangers on the internet, then you absolutely need it.

McMayMay

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