“I must have rocks in my head,” I thought as I clung to the side of the via ferrata training rock at Torrent Falls Family Climbing Adventure in Kentucky's Red River Gorge.

        As a kid, I never climbed trees or jumped off the high dive at the pool. But whether you are a climbing novice like me or a human mountain goat, via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) is a safe, scenic, affordable way to improve climbing skills and spend a memorable day (or weekend) with friends or family.

IF YOU GO

What: Torrent Falls Family Climbing Adventure.     Where: Red River Gorge, Ky., From Cincinnati, take I-75 south to Lexington, then I-64 toward Winchester. Take exit 98 (Mountain Parkway. Take exit 33 (Slade/Beattyville. Turn right on Ky. 11 for approximately seven miles.     When: Daylight hours, March through November. Allow at least two hours to experience the via ferrata.     Cost: All-day pass: $19 adult; $16 child (ages 10-17). Equipment rental: $10.     Information (606) 668-6441; www.torrentfalls.com.     Miscellaneous: Fishing pond stocked with catfish, bass and blue gil; bed and breakfast.

        The via ferrata at Torrent Falls is owned by Mark and Kathryn Meyer, formerly of Middletown. It's the first family climbing adventure of its kind in North America — a pleasant 2 1/2-hour drive from Cincinnati.

        Three hundred of these climbing systems are nestled in the Alps. Installed during World War I as a way to move troops across the mountains, via ferrata has turned into a recreation opportunity throughout Europe. A French design team built Mr. Meyer's via ferrata according to the European design.

        Besides a harness and helmet, climbers use special sling lines that are double clicked into an aircraft-grade safety cable strung along the rock. Hand grips and footholds are embedded in the rock to define the climbing path.

        With me at Torrent Falls were several parent-children groups — the climb accepts children from age 10 up. We practiced at the training rock before starting the 90-foot ascent up the rocky face of the horseshoe-shaped gorge.

        Mr. Meyer offered advice: “If you try to muscle your way through this rock system, you'll strain the entire way. Don't wrestle the rock. The rock will win. Climb so that your arms are extended with all your weight . . . and use your legs and your hips.”

        For Debbi Glass, 35, of Morehead, Ky., it was her first climb.

        “It was awesome. Very challenging,” she said. “You have to really watch what you are doing . . . I'm scared of heights so I thought it might be really tough. Once you are up there you really don't even notice that you are that high up.”

        There are four levels of difficulty on the course: beginners/family, moderate, advanced and expert.

        “You should be in decent (physical) shape” to climb, “but nothing exceptional,” Mrs. Meyer said. “As long as you fit into the harness safely, you should do fine.”

        The 3,400-foot traverse also includes climbing behind a waterfall and crossing a 70-foot-long suspension bridge swinging 50 feet above the ground.

        Tim Spegal, 22, of East Walnut Hills, was back for his second climb. On his first climb he had entered at the waterfall and finished at the expert level, called Black Diamond.

        “It was a blast,” Mr. Spegal said. “Just sitting there . . . looking down . . . I walked away from this place feeling like I knew how to mountain (climb).”

        Is it possible to fall? Yes, but Mr. Meyer said, “(The harness has) a dynamic breaking system. In the event of a fall, your rope will go in a wedge (in the harness) and slow your descent rather quickly. The most you are apt to fall is 1 1/2 feet. If you fall, you just pull yourself back up.”

        Since Torrent Falls Family Climbing Adventure opened in September, Mr. Meyer has seen people eat a backpacked lunch on a climb or bring a book to read under the waterfall.

        “We can fulfill Boy Scout merit badges in mountaineering, show you how to repel and rock climb, do corporate teams and birthday parties. I'm waiting to do my first marriage up here behind the cliffs.”

        Why via ferrata?

        “We wanted to give people something else to do in Red River Gorge for families,” Mr. Meyer said. “If people have climbed in a rock gym or at an indoor training wall, this is a great transition to come out here and experience real rock, get the exposure of the height, without buying all the equipment.”

        Outfitting a climber costs $500 to $1000, he said.

        As for me, I'll be back to climb Torrent Falls . . . because it's there.

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