Building NZ's First Public Via Ferrata on Tākaka Hill with Till Middelhauve

Till Middelhauve moved from Germany to New Zealand in 2020, after years of family via ferrata trips across the European Alps. Finding no public via ferrata here, he wrote the first concept during two weeks in managed isolation. Till shares about two and a half years of permits, surveys and landowner agreements before a small team of volunteers built New Zealand's first public via ferrata on Tākaka Hill. He talks about scaling loose rock off the cliff, securing fridge-sized boulders to the bedrock and the 150 climbers who turned up when the first route opened. He reflects on how rewarding it is to watch people have a great day out on the cliff. Till shares advice for first-timers, from the gear you need to why the afternoon is the best time to climb.

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