Via Ferrata

AV Fast Comfort climbing harness. A simple, light, and fully adjustable climbing harness suitable for via ferrata, group / climbing wall use, and entry level climbing. The fast comfort has buckles on belt and leg loops, and also comes in three sizes to accommodate pretty much everyone. It has moveable (and removeable)padding on the belt and legs, a high centre of gravity tie - in loop, and colour coded legs to help with putting it on right, first time. Two gear loops; enough for via ferrata, but not really for a 'trad' rack... add Beast gear loops to upgrade somewhat. There's no need to rant on about the unsuitability of SRT harnesses for via ferrata or climbing use, is there?

Petzl Scorpio lanyard for via ferrata. Basically, hi - tech cowstails to deal with the high fall-factors that can be generated by long falls down fixed vertical wires (or ropes). Tied rope cowstails for caving will *not* cope with this! This small, neat and very easy-to-use set consists of a 'one use' tear apart shock absorber, one short lanyard (for resting, on rungs or similar) plus two longer tape lanyards to make the clips on the wire. These are elasticated to facilitate long reaches, while preventing them from getting in the way, or catching up, at other times. Two points: i. This is a one fall item... if you expect to fall repeatedly (you shouldn't!) then you may be better off with the Zyper Y; not so neat or user friendly, but re-usable without significant work. ii. In actual fact, falling on via ferrata is *really rare* and generally you don't need to worry about "what if I fall once, in the middle of a route?" It sounds brutal, but if you fall hard enough for a via ferrata lanyard to make a difference (of any sort) then probably you will need rescuing anyway... Lastly - you do need to add karabiners to this set up. The Vertigo is recommended, but any quick lock, full strength, and wide gate-opening krab should do.

The Petzl Zyper Y via ferrata lanyard, but with the addition of two of the Petzl Vertigo wirelock quick connectors. These are a very suitable, made for purpose karabiner.