Via Ferrata European Rock Climbing System Introduced in North America
Unique "Iron Way" climbing system makes rock climbing easy and fun for people of all ages and abilities.
Brattleboro, VT (PRWEB via PR Web
Direct) March 18, 2005 -- "A new era in the adventure sport of North
American rock climbing" was announced today by Paul Kidder, President of Via
Ferrata Americas LLC, kicking-off the entry of the Via Ferrata European rock
climbing system into the North American market. Ski areas, spas, resorts, camps,
conference centers and others in the booming adventure travel business now have
the opportunity to provide an exciting new, high-end, rock climbing experience
to their guests and clients.
Previously available to only a select few,
Via Ferrata, or "Iron Way" in Italian, was developed during World War I for
ferrying troops and supplies over the Alps. There are currently over 300 Via
Ferrata sites in France and Italy, annually attracting thousands of people of
all strengths and abilities who want to “go where the real climbers go and
eagles fly.”
Kidder’s announcement today marks the introduction of the
popular European adventure sport of Via Ferrata to the North American adventure
travel market. Kidder explains, "The Via Ferrata climbing system is a vertical
trekking route built out of iron rungs anchored into rock walls. A safety system
made of aircraft cable is run along the steps to allow climbers of nearly any
skill level to scale rock walls, traverse cliffs, and experience true adventure
environments without the need for advanced technical training."
Kidder
continues, "Via Ferrata Americas is the leading resource for this exciting new
system. Our mission at Via Ferrata Americas is to popularize, publicize, and
promote the adventure sport of Via Ferrata climbing in North America. We do this
through the sales, construction and implementation of high quality Via Ferrata
climbing systems that reflect American values, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Among the values inherent in our Via Ferrata systems are a focus on safety,
liability awareness, a strict environmental ethic, and an inclusive approach to
building and design that allows for full participation by people of all physical
abilities."
The introduction of Via Ferrata into the North American
market comes at a time of explosive growth in the industry and sport of rock
climbing. According to a study compiled by American Sport Data, Inc., today,
more than 10 million people participate in the sport on some level. This upward
trend in rock climbing has also been matched by the adventure travel industry.
According to Jerry Mallet, President of the Adventure Travel Society, the
American public is spending over $115 billion annually on adventure travel.
These demographics speak to the potential for Via Ferrata to build on these
trends, from its initial introduction in the United States, into explosive
growth. Via Ferrata Americas, LLC wants to be the engine of this growth train by
doing it right, using sound business practices and capitalizing on close
connections within the climbing and adventure communities.
About Via
Ferrata Americas LLC
Via Ferrata Americas is the leading U.S.-based authority
on Via Ferrata systems and is primarily a construction and facility training
company, selling design, installation and instruction to customers desiring to
operate a Via Ferrata business in North America. Existing adventure business
owners with vertical property can turn their site into a revenue-generating
profit center that can be operated with little overhead. A Via Ferrata
installation will offer adventure and outdoor recreation businesses an
off-season revenue source, the ability to attract additional guests, and the
rare opportunity to be on the cutting edge as the sport of rock climbing grows
and changes in North America.
For more information, call Cheryl Warren,
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at 800-496-7363, or visit the Via Ferrata
Americas web site at www.viaferratallc.com.
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb219769.htm