or Meeting My Future Self at 2,166 Meters
Here’s the truth nobody tells you about aging and adventure:
You don’t stop moving because you get old. You get old faster because you stop moving.
I learned this at 2,166 meters, on the summit of Col Rosa in the Dolomites. It was after reaching the summit of the Ettore Bovero via ferrata. Our last via ferrata in the 2025 Dolomites trip that felt more like real climbing than a typical ferrata.
The approach to the ferrata was brutal. Steep, sustained, honest. That kind of uphill that immediately tells you whether your fitness is real or imagined.
The route itself? Spectacular. Vertical sections with no steps. Foot anchors with no cable. Movement that demands body tension, footwork, and trust—not just strength.
But what made this climb unforgettable wasn’t the exposure or the views.
It was the two women I met at the summit.
Both in their late 60s, maybe 70. Both had just finished the same demanding route. Just standing there chatting in the sun, calm and strong, enjoying what they’d earned.
I was 44 then. And I remember thinking: That’s how I want to be when I grow up. Not old. Just grown up. Active, capable, confident. Still curious. Still moving.
That moment is why Built to Roam exists.
So let me tell you about the route that taught me this lesson.And why it matters for anyone who wants adventure to remain accessible for decades, not just years.
The Route: Ettore Bovero Via Ferrata
The Ettore Bovero Via Ferrata is a compact but intense Dolomiti classic that delivers far more than its length suggests.
Ettore Bovero Via ferrata – Route details:
- Location: Near Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites
- Summit: Col Rosa
- Summit altitude: 2166 m
- Difficulty: C (Italian scale)
- Route character: Technical, exposed, sustained
- Total elevation gain: approx. 900 m
- Total time: 5 – 6 hours (approach + ferrata + descent)
- Exposure: Significant, especially on vertical sections
Short Route, Serious Reality
Yes, the route may be described as short. But don’t let that fool you.
The approach hits hard—steep, relentless, and honest. The kind of uphill that reminds you very quickly whether your legs, lungs, and mindset are truly prepared. The descent, while easy to follow, feels endless when fatigue sets in. Your knees will negotiate every step, silently begging for smoother ground.
As for being beginner-friendly?
Maybe… if the beginners are locals 😊.
Ettore Bovero – the Via Ferrata That Feels Like Real Climbing
Once on the route, everything changes.
The Ettore Bovero via ferrata is spectacular—technical, exposed, and refreshingly different from many modern ferratas. What struck me most was how pure the movement felt.
There are sections with steel cables but no artificial steps. These are followed by sections with foot anchors but no cable. It is rare to find both at the same time.
This forces you to:
- trust your feet
- control body tension
- move deliberately
It feels far closer to classic climbing than a typical via ferrata. And I loved it. It rewards calm movement, not rushing. Strength matters—but so does awareness.
The View from Col Rosa (2166 m)
Reaching the summit of Col Rosa is a moment you don’t rush.
The views open in every direction—jagged ridges, deep valleys, and that unmistakable Dolomite light. It’s the kind of panorama that makes you quiet, grounded, and deeply grateful for a body that still moves well.
But what impressed me the most wasn’t the landscape.
It was who we met at the top.
“Not Old – Just Grown Up”
Standing there were two women, easily 65–70 years old. Just enjoying the views after completing the same route.
The ferrata was not easy. Not by any definition. Spectacular? Yes. Thrilling? Absolutely. But easy? No. And yet—there they were!
In that moment, something clicked deeply inside me.
I was 44 years old then, and I remember thinking: That’s how I want to be when I grow up.
Not old. Just grown up.
I realized: this is the goal.
Not to chase performance for its own sake.
Not to prove anything to anyone.
But to build a body that lets me roam—at 44, at 60, at 70, and beyond.
Why this matters?!
This is exactly why I’m building Built to Roam.
After 25+ years of training, climbing, guiding, and moving, I’ve learned one core truth:
Nothing ends at 30. Or 40. Or even 60.
But the way you train has to change.
My goal with Built to Roam is to share:
- Real mountain experiences
- Practical training insights
- Honest reflections
And hopefully inspire fellow Millennials and Gen Xers to start training with purpose—so you can keep doing the things you love for decades to come.
You don’t stop because you age. You age faster because you stop.
Ettore Bovero Via Ferrata – More Than a Route, a Reminder
The truth is we chose Ettore Bovero via ferrata randomly as our “one last via ferrata before heading home.” We wanted to extend our adventure for as long as possible.
But, it turned out to a reminder of what’s possible when you choose to keep moving, training, and showing up for youself!
The exposure, the effort, the long descent, the quiet moment on the summit—all of it pointed to the same truth:
Capability doesn’t disappear with age. It fades only when we stop building it with intent.
Seeing those two women changed something in me. It reinforced why I train the way I do. Why I care about mobility, strength, and confidence over decades—not just years.
This route is challenging, honest, and deeply rewarding.
Just like the long game of staying active.
Before You Go: via-ferrata equipment
Keep in mind that for Ettore Bovero Via Ferrata, or for any via-ferrata for that matter, proper gear is essential.
Mandatory:
- Via ferrata kit (shock absorber + carabiners)
- Climbing helmet
- Harness
- Approach shoes or light mountaineering boots
Highly Recommended:
- Via ferrata or durable gloves
- 10–20L backpack
- At least 1.5L water per person
- Windproof layer
- Sunscreen & sunglasses
- Basic first-aid kit
In the Dolomites, weather and terrain demand respect—always.
Built to Roam for Decades, Not Just Years
The Ettore Bovero taught me that longevity in the mountains isn’t about luck. It’s about intention.
If you’re ready to train smarter—not just harder—so you can keep climbing, hiking, and roaming well into your 60s, 70s, and beyond, you’re in the right place.
Join Built to Roam:
- 📧 Subscribe for practical training strategies and honest mountain stories delivered to your inbox
- 📥 Soon: Download the free guide: coming very soon with articles on “Mobility Drills Every Climber Over 40 Needs”
- 💬 Want to read about other destinations? How about the famous Sky- Ladder in Austria?
Because you’re not built to slow down. You’re Built to Roam.
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