Proposed features/via ferrata
| Via_Ferrata | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Draft (under way) |
| Proposed by: | * |
| Tagging: | highway=via_ferrata |
| Applies to: | linear, node |
| Definition: | A mountain route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. |
| Rendered as: |  symbol for overlay:
|
| Draft start: | 2010-08-22 |
| RFC start: | 2010-08-22 |
| Vote start: | |
| Vote end: | |
This is draft version 2, old proposition was here Proposed features/via ferrata version 1 RFC e-mail sent on tagging list
Contents |
Description
See the full definition on wikipedia [1]
A via ferrata is a route equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges in order to increase ease and security for climbers. These via ferrata require equipment : climbing harness, shock absorber and two short lengths of rope, but do not require a long rope as for climbing.
note : If no special equipment is required, and the path has a short length or cable equipped, it should be tag as highway=path with the appropriate sac_scale=* but not with this proposal
Related tags
Just to let you know there is a climbing proposal where we could share ideas and maybe re-use common tags
Main tags
| Key | Value | Element | Comment | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| highway | via_ferrata |   |
via_ferrata on the whole length of the iron rope. If it is too short to be tagged as a way (according to your recording precision) tag it as a node |  |
| name | * | |
usually via ferratas do have a common name to be easily found on the map |
Note: You should not add highway=path for data usage confusion security risk Do as you want, but remember that some renderers or tools might be confused if they don't support the via_ferrata tag. Path is appropriate where advanced hikers might still securely use the via ferrata without equipment but add an appropriate sac_scale tag to indicate that matter.
Rating via ferrata's difficulty
There is no "world wide scale" for via_ferrata diffculty, The "German" Huesler scale (as taken from Wikipedia 1 ) seems to be the only one with quite objective qualifications. Therefore it is used for OSM with the addition of very little difficulty / French A.
| Key | Value | Element | Description | Conversion | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| via_ferrata_scale | 0 | |
Subjective Difficulty very little
Way/Surroundings Flat to steep, Exposed sections possible Securance Steel cables, chains, stemples (metal rungs) and partly short iron ladders. Short and easy. Not really a via_ferrata Exigencies Surefootedness and being free from giddiness recommendable. No problem for unsporty Equipment Via-Ferrata kit not needed Note: Use highway=path and not highway=via_ferrata |
French:F
German: none - very little difficult |
 |
| via_ferrata_scale | 1 | |
Subjective Difficulty little
Way/Surroundings Flat to steep, usually rocky. Exposed sections possible Securance Steel cables, chains, stemples (metal rungs) and partly short iron ladders. Most parts are usable without using the artificial securance Exigencies Surefootedness and being free from giddiness recommendable. Being as sporty as a white collar employee enough (for the ferrata itself, depending on the overall journey it may be different) Equipment Basic via ferrata kit recommended. Experienced ferrata users are often met without self-securance |
French: PD
German: A-K1 - little difficult |
 |
| via_ferrata_scale | 2 | |
Subjective Difficulty litte to slightly difficult, in parts a bit demanding or exhausting
Way/Surroundings steep rocky area, in parts small steps, exposed terrain is common Securance Steel cables, chains, stemples, Tritttifte??, long ladders (also vertical). Usage bypassing securances possible, but then climbing up to UIAA III / French 3 are to be expected Exigencies Same as for 1, but better shape and a bit more power and endurance in legs and arms are advantageous Equipment Via ferrata kit recommended. Usage also possible as rope team |
French: AD
German: B-K2 - moderately difficult |
 |
| via_ferrata_scale | 3 | |
Subjective Difficulty largely difficult, exigeant and straining
Way/Surroundings steep to very steep rock faces, mostly only small steps, longer or many exposed sections Securance Steel cables, stemples, Trittstifte, often longer ladders, even overhanging ladders and stemples to be expected, sometimes in vertical sections only steel cables existing, Usable bypassing securances usually possible, but then climbing up to UIAA IV/ French 4 is the norm Exigencies Good shape, longer ascents in difficult sections are demanding as ferratas of this difficulty are already among the bigger ferratas (sic! better translation?) Equipment Via ferrata kit heavily recommended. Unexperienced or children should eventually even be roped in |
French: D
German: C-K3 - difficult |
 |
| via_ferrata_scale | 4 | |
Subjective Difficulty very difficult, very demanding and very straining
Way/Surroundingsvertical, often overhanging areas, largely very exposed Securance Steel cables, stemples, Trittstifte (often spaced with large distance), in exposed section often no more than a steel cable Exigencies Same as for 3, but general good body shape needed. Good power in hands and arms as longer vertical to overhanging sections are possible. Also small climbing sections up to difficulty UIAA II / French 2 may need to be cleared. Equipment Via ferrata kit obligatory, even very experienced via ferrata users will be met in a rope team. Not recommended for children or inexperienced |
French: TD
German: D-K4 - very difficult |
 |
| via_ferrata_scale | 5 | |
Subjective Difficulty Extremely difficulty because very straining and exceedingly arduous.
Way/Surroundings Vertical to Overhanging; consistently exposed, very small steps or slab climbing Securance As for 4 but much more climbing parts Exigencies Lots of power in hands (fingers), arms and legs. Increased levels of fitness, flexibility needed. Long section may need to be cleared with main weight carried by the arms Equipment Via ferrata kit obligatory. Rope teams especially for those sections without steel ropes or other securances considerable; not recommendable for beginners or children |
French: ED
German: E-K5 - extreme difficulty |
 |
| via_ferrata_scale | 6 | |
Subjective Difficulty More than extremely difficulty because very straining and exceedingly arduos and very good climbings skills are needed.
Way/Surroundings Largely Overhanging; exposed, very small steps or slab climbing Securance As for 5 combined with climbing Exigencies Like 5, but good climbing technique obligatory Equipment Via ferrata kit obligatory. Top rope recommended. Only for people that feel safe and have experience using scale 5 ferratas. Note currently the only known ferrata of this difficulty in the European Alps is found on the Buergeralm Klettersteig (Austria) with "Arena Variante" 1 |
French: ABO
German: F-K6 more than extreme difficulty |
- Note: You can add a + or a - after the value to indicate that the via ferrata is on bottom or top of the grade.
-
Note: You should not add sac_scale=*Do as you want for sac_scale=demanding_alpine_hiking or sac_scale=difficult_alpine_hiking. sac_scale is appropriate where advanced hikers might still securely use the via ferrata without equipment.
- Note: I took out the two French beginner sections as the German scale does not make a differentiation. I propose to enter it as 0 - very easy with a classification like "Basically demanding_mountain_hiking but in exposed sections. For frightened or inexperienced people steel cables or short ladders or a few stemples might be part of the way. Is in general not considered as a via ferrata but a normal way featuring via ferrata objects. Via Ferrata kit in general not used and only insecure people use the eventual steel cables. --Extremecarver 18:29, 18 November 2010 (UTC)
Details along the way
Those tags have to be added to the main one if used (i.e not alone) some are already approved so they are part of this proposal as an extension use
| Key | Value | Element | Comment | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bridge | yes | |
An unspecified bridge type along the via ferrata route | 
|
| cable_number | 2 or more | |
For cable bridges the total number of cables, in addition to bridge=yes |  (here a 3 cable bridge)
|
| aerialway | zip_line | |
A zip line along the via ferrata route see Proposed feature/aerialway=zip line | |
| oneway | yes | |
It the via ferrata is not allowed both ways | |
| ladder | length in m | |
Steel ladder |  |
| tunnel | yes | |
A tunnel/cave along the via ferrata route | 
|
| overhang | yes/no/ length in m | |
Overhanging sections of significant length |
Implies
