VIRTUAL REALITY (VR)
Virtual reality is an simulated environment that is created with software and other technologies to allow a person to experience and manipulate the environment as if it were the real world. The simulated environment can be in a surreal or dreamlike realities or it could be based on the real realities. VR in travel is generally in the latter category.
VR in vacation (VRcation) allow you to experience any location in this world as if you’re actually there. Our aim in creating VR content is to allow others to have a more realistic and immersive experience of our travel and inspire them to designed their own life journey. Ultimately, we hope that everyone in this world will have a chance to experience these extra-ordinary journey; whether at home (with VR) or at the actual location.
In recent years, the price and the advancement of VR technologies has reached a point where it is affordable and appealing to many. Our gadgets in the creation of VR video is a 360 degree camera (Insta360 OneX) and its related accessories. To view the VR content, we have the Oculus Quest; the first entirely wireless virtual reality headset and all-in-one VR system without the need of an expensive pc system. The Oculus Quest is selling for US $399 at the Amazon.com.
All videos in VR Travel page are 360 degree videos. A 360 video is recorded in all directions, giving you a complete 360-degree view. While watching these videos through your computers or mobile phones, you’re able to control the viewing direction and watch the video from whatever perspective you’d like.
Most VR system (e.g., PSP VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or Quest) are capable of viewing the video on this website in full VR mode. Use any browser within your VR system to navigate to this site, choose the video and press play. Do wait for a few seconds if your internet connection is slow to allow the VR video to load and to reach the optimum resolution.
Alternatively, you could download the video onto your VR system and then use any VR browser or VR player to play the video.
All videos in VR Travel page are 360 degree videos. If you are watching these videos through your computer, mobile phone or tablet, navigate to the relevant video and press the “Play” button. If the video does not play normally (e.g., weird wide angle) especially on older iPad, after pressing the “Play” button, click the sign “Youtube” on the video control panel. While the 360 video is playing, you can use your mouse or your finger on touch screen panel to change the perspective and angle of the video. Happy watching!
PizTrovat
Via Ferrata 1
This is a highly thrilling Via Ferrata that is suitable for beginners but climbers must be comfortable with heights as there a section of 300 m vertical drop after the bridge crossing.
After the bridge crossing, the view of the glacier world of the Bernina and the imposing mountain world of the Upper Engadine promise unbelievable views. Click on the VR videos below to experience the thrill of a real mountain climb!
If you do not have a VR headset, you could still see the video in 360 degree.
Via Ferrata is a secured hiking trail where you can climb the inaccessible parts of mountain via ladders, ramps and cables fixed to the rock ledge. It can be considered as the middle point between hiking and climbing. Equipment needed is a harness, a via ferrata kit and a helmet. Your experience will be more comfortable if you wear padded fingerless gloves and take a small rucksack.
300 vertical metres, 500 steps, 600 m of cables and a cable bridge. This via ferrata is not for the faint of hearts! The starting point is an easy 30 minute walks from the Diavolezza cable car summit station. From the starting point, it is an easy climb through 2 ladder systems before coming to the middle section. There are awesome views in this section including a cable bridge that connect 2 mountains.
From here, there are two routes up Piz Trovat (3146 m) submit. Piz Trovat I offers manageable difficulties, general K2 levels (moderately difficult) which is suitable for beginners with a section of K3 (difficult). Climbers should be generally fit, sure-footed and have a good head for heights.
Piz Trovat II is extremely difficult with long overhanging passages; K5 to K6. This route is definitely for climbers with experience. Check the blog for details
This climb can be completed in 3 hours including a simple descent on the other side of the PIz Trovat submit.
piz trovat via ferrata
Awesome scenery in the Piz Trovat Middle Section and the first glimpse of the bridge.
*Use your mouse or your finger on touch screen panel to change the perspective of the video.
PIZ TROVAT VIA FERRATA
This video shows the crossing of a bridge in the middle of 600 m high mountain.
piz trovat via ferrata
Climbing Piz Trovat steep vertical rock wall. In this section, I do not dare to look down!
PIZ TROVAT VIA FERRATA
Piz Trovat Last Section before reaching the submit. I am so relieved at this point of the climb.
Tierbergli Via Ferrata
The Tierbergli Via Ferrata is a stunning, high alpine route with wonderful views of the mountains and glacier. This trail is also suitable for beginners but there is a challenging vertical wall at the end of the middle section. Have a look at the 360 videos below to have an idea how this trail looks like.
The Tierbergli climbing trail is a stunning, high alpine route with wonderful views of the Susten Pass and the Gadmen Valley.
The via ferrata trail takes you through a diverse landscape up to the rocky plateau, on which the Tierbergli hut was built. The first section being mainly K2 / K3 (good for beginners), but with a challenging section (K4). There is an alternative route to avoid this challenging section as described in the blog below. Second section predominantly K3 with scree slopes in between. Only go in good weather, in wet/snowy conditions the slabby rocks become dangerously slippery.
Equipment Required: Via Ferrata climbing kit (can be rented from most sport shops in nearby town ~ 25 eur per day), helmet, gloves, a small backpack and a good flexible hiking shoes. The required Via Ferrata climbing kit can be hired in the GoVertical Shop at the Diavolezza valley station. It cost around 25 eur per day.
Check the temperature before the climb and do not wear too many layers as climbing will induce sweating. Many don’t realize that, when it comes to rock climbing, especially if you’re out for a long journey, the clothes you wear are almost as important as your harness, shoes, and the REST OF YOUR EQUIPMENT. It also doesn’t matter how good the rock is—if you’re uncomfortable, you won’t enjoy the ascent. Highly recommended breathable clothing that takes away moisture from your body. The small backpack should have additional clothing in case of weather changes and a small bottle of water.
Hiring a guide is not necessary but recommended for first timer.
Initial climb is rather easy and relaxing. We can still smile and take photos along the trail. The view towards the mountain and glacier is really captivating.
*Use your mouse or your finger on touch screen panel to change the perspective of the video.
2 Responses
By scrolling the mouse pointer or moving your fingers on your touch screen device, the 360 feature of those videos is really fun and amazing!
Thanks Nicholas. Glad you enjoy watching 360 video..