(Lander, WY) – As discussions concerning the proposed Via Ferrata in Sinks Canyon are set to continue at a meeting on December 14th, 1330 KOVE AM / 107.7 FM’s Coffee Time host Vince Tropea recently sat down with parties both for and against the “iron trail.”
For those unaware, Via Ferratas are “permanently cabled cliff-side trails that allows non-technical climbers to have a guided climbing and traversing experience in vertical terrain,” according to the Sinks Canyon Master Plan description.
The proposal has turned into quite the topic of debate, with hundreds of Fremont County citizens attending the various meetings discussing the matter.
Lander Chamber Executive Director Owen Sweeney and Chairman of the Committee for the Via Ferrata Sam Lightner spoke in favor, citing what they see as a potential economic development and possible tourist draw for the Lander area.
Sinks Canyon Wild volunteers Tom Troop and Bob Oakleaf, a retired Game and Fish Biologist, spoke on behalf of those against the proposed Ferrata, expressing concerns about the peregrine falcon nesting sites in the vicinity of the initially proposed location, as well as the overall concern about the appearance of the climbing route.
Check out the full interviews with both parties below, with Owen and Sam starting things off, and Tom and Bob coming in a few seconds after the 35 minute mark.
Find all of County 10’s Via Ferrata coverage here.
Be sure to check out Coffee Time every morning at 9:30 AM on 1330 KOVE AM / 107.7 FM, or stream it live right here.