STAKES & LADDERS

Via ferrata literally iron way’ climbing routes sprang up across the Alps after World War Utilising iron rungs hammered into the mountainsides, via ferrata provide a taste of extreme climbing with less of the peril but no reduction in adrenaline, as Dominic Bliss finds out

"On the frontline between warring Italian and Austrian troops, mountain infantry on both sides used ropes, cables, ladders and rudimentary tunnels to keep supply routes open in the unforgiving terrain”

Lightning strikes the mountain summit of La Croix des Verdons with alarming regularity. I know this because the wooden cross at the top is remarkably new. Locals have had to replace it many times over the years - its lofty position, 2,700 metres up above the French ski resort of Courchevel, making it ever vulnerable to electric storms.

Fortunately, there's no sign of thunder and lightning on the day I climb it. It's a warm July morning, a mixture of sunshine and wispy cloud.

Leaning on the wooden cross, I can look straight across the Tarentaise Valley, north to the summit of Mont Blanc the highest mountain in Europe.

I've had plenty of altitude to deal with myself. To reach the top of La Croix des Verdons, I first took the cable car from Courchevel 1850 all the way up to La Saulire. Accompanied by my guide, Sebastien, I then walked along a ridge to the start of France's highest via ferrata climbing route.

What is it?

 For the uninitiated, via ferrata is a climbing sport which requires no training.

As long as you have a head for heights and basic fitness, you're ready to go. Italian for 'iron way', the sport involves scrambling and climbing up steep rock faces and along perilous ledges, using steel cables, rungs and ladders fixed firmly into the rock, normally with epoxy resin.

Only the most basic equipment is needed: a helmet, gloves, a harness around your midriff, and carabiners to clip and uncli pyour harness to the steel cable as you climb.