Life is like a roller coaster. Highest of high and lowest of low. This experience is certainly our highest of high as this is our first real via ferrata climb as a family. In fact, this journey is a miracle by itself as there are so many incidents along the way; airport close, flight disruptions, baggage lost, climbing kit shortage and weather changes. We are so grateful that in the end we are safe and able to experience this thrilling adventure.

Trail Description

What is Via Ferrata?

The via Ferrata (Italian for “iron way”) is a mountain route equipped with steel cables, ladders, and other fixed anchors, for example wooden walkways and suspended bridges. These equipment renders feasible an exposed route even to the inexperienced climber, and allows those not experienced in climbing technique to hike on ledges, climb vertical walls, and reach the peaks of mountains. On these routes the risk of a fatal fall is minimized by having a steel cable run along the trail – to which you can attach yourself with a via ferrata set.

How to get here

This Via Ferrata trail can reached in 2 hours by driving from Zurich. Driving is the only way to reached the trail entrance. If you are searching with Google Map, enter Parkplatz Umpol, Switzerland as the destination. From Parking Umpol, it is only 10 mins walk to the entrance of the climbing trail.

Trail Character

The Tierbergli climbing trail is a stunning, high alpine route with wonderful views of the Susten Pass and the Gadmen Valley. The trail can be climbed as a day tour or with an overnight stay in the Tierbergli hut. The SAC Baselland hut is located on the Susten Pass, above a stone glacier on a rocky spur and can accommodate 70 people. For more information see www. tierbergli .ch The via ferrata trail takes you through a diverse landscape up to the rocky plateau, on which the Tierbergli hut was built. The first section being mainly K2 / K3 (good for beginners), but with a challenging section (K4). There is an alternative route to avoid this challenging section as described in the blog below. Second section predominantly K3 with scree slopes in between. Only go in good weather, in wet/snowy conditions the slabby rocks become dangerously slippery.

Equipment Required

Equipment Required: Via Ferrata climbing kit (can be rented from most sport shops in nearby town ~ 25 eur per day), helmet, gloves, a small backpack and a good flexible hiking shoes. Check the temperature before the climb and do not wear too many layers as climbing will induce sweating. Many don’t realize that, when it comes to rock climbing, especially if you’re out for a long journey, the clothes you wear are almost as important as your harness, shoes, and the REST OF YOUR EQUIPMENT. It also doesn’t matter how good the rock is—if you’re uncomfortable, you won’t enjoy the ascent. Highly recommended breathable clothing that takes away moisture from your body. The small backpack should have additional clothing in case of weather changes and a small bottle of water. Hiring a guide is not necessary but recommended for first timer.

Climb Start and End, and Time

Start from Parking Umpol, Steingletscher to Tierberglihütte SAC Approximately 4 hrs, 2 hr 45 mins (900 m) accent and 1 hr 30 mins descent

Preparing for the Climb

Its a scenic drive going through Susten Pass to get to the start of the trail.

Tierbergli hut is actually visible in the image above; perch on top of the mountain. Can you spot it?

Preparing and ensuring everything is ready for the climb took us almost an hour. Really need to ensure all safety harness is fully secure and tight. That includes my 360 degree camera which I newly bought for this journey

Here we climb…

Initial climb is rather easy and relaxing. We can still smile and take photos along the trail. The view towards the mountain and glacier is really captivating

I look silly with the action cam on top of my helmet. Looks like Teletubies.

Tierbergli Via Ferrata Initial Climb in 360 degree

Almost reaching the vertical wall section.

First Vertical Wall

To complete this challenging section, one has to be comfortable with heights. There is a huge difference between climbing at an angle and climbing a vertical wall. For beginners, I would not recommend any climb that has steep vertical wall. There is literary no turning back as via ferrata is not designed for going downwards. Only one way which is up.

Are they cost cutting on metal rod? Only a single metal in some path.

Vincent and William are almost at the top of the wall. Hope they remember my instruction to wait for us at the critical junction.

Slowly we are going up. You could actually see our kids looking at us from the top right corner of the image. They must be thinking why we are so slow.

Left or Right?

We reach the junction where there are 2 paths. Left is for professionals and right for beginners. It is an easy decision for us.

While resting at the ledge, we met 2 climbers, father and daughter team. The daughter around 12 years olds seems to be leader. Once at the junction, we were so surprised she went straight to the left hand side. To us it is dangerous but she climbs like a pro.

Climbing mountains is an experience that is hard to put into words. You are in a beautiful surreal natural environment and, when you reach the top, you feel excited and proud yet humble

Climbing Tierbergli Vertical Wall Video

360 image capture

These stunning images was captured using the 360 camera attached on top my helmet. The camera I am using is called Insta360 One X. This camera allows me to capture my climb in every direction at once. With a few taps on the phone, you can frame the best parts of your shot and create a stunning, cinematic edit. It is nerve racking looking at it now. In the image on the right, I had this surreal thought and experience while looking down “My life is hanging on 2 rod of steel bar!!”

Moving sideways on a vertical wall is scarier than moving up. You have to look down a lot more while moving sideways.

Challenging Section

This part is quite challenging. The steel rod is not easily reachable. In this section, I am assisting my wife in reaching the upper steel rod. In Via Ferrata, climbers should not be climbing close together. If one falls, he or she will falls onto the others and that will cause injury.

Tierbergli Challenging Section

Final Climb !

This is the last push before reaching our destination. Throughout the climb, our mind has to be very focus on the path and task in front of us. There are few times where I did not attached the clips properly and I did not realized it. There is really no room for distraction. To do this kind of climbing one has to be really mindful. Thankfully, we are all safe and in one piece.

Tiebergli Final Section

We made it !!

We reach the middle section in roughly 2 hours. We did not take any rest in between…cannot totally relax hanging on the side of wall. We are not immune to fear of heights at all. We are relieved to reach the top of the middle section. It has been an absolutely thrilling experience for us first timer. The experience of hanging on the vertical wall is something that we will never forget.