Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata: The Focus 15 Found Its Perfect Job
The double-helix ladder hangs above Ashley Gorge with more daylight beneath it than any reasonable ladder should have. It captures the appeal of Utah's first public via ferrata: a genuinely committing mountain experience that's accessible to people who may not consider themselves climbers.
It also turns out to be an almost suspiciously perfect job for our Focus 15.
An easy Utah adventure to pull together
We went with a group of potential Pingora investors. Vernal is roughly three hours from Salt Lake City, with inexpensive lodging and surprisingly good food. Our excellent dinner at Vernal Brewing Company also confirmed that, yes, Vernal has alcohol.
We started hiking around 7:00 a.m. and still found a crowd. Earlier is better on a hot summer weekend.
The route gets real
About 90 minutes in, we reached the first properly spicy climb: an overhanging section with several possible routes. Markings were generally good, but an unprepared group could lose serious time here.
We completed multiple bridges and the double-helix ladder in five to six hours at a leisurely pace. The exposure remained all day. We just became better at dealing with it.
Why the Focus 15 works so well on a via ferrata
I carried the Pingora Focus 15 with a two-liter hydration reservoir, snacks, a wind layer, my harness, a certified via ferrata lanyard and a separate static rest tether. My helmet rode outside in our Universal Helmet Net until we entered the canyon.
Fifteen liters was the sweet spot. The pack carried everything I needed without becoming bulky or catching on the wall. It stayed close to my body, and the hydration reservoir let me drink without removing the pack or wrestling a bottle while clipped to a cliff.
The smaller details mattered too:
- The zippered shoulder-harness pockets gave me a secure, easy place for sunglasses when we moved into the shade.
- The helmet net kept the helmet outside the pack on the approach, leaving interior room for layers and food.
- The compact shape stayed stable and out of the way on ladders, through tight features and around the cable.
- The secure main compartment kept loose gear contained.
- When I wanted my GoPro or a snack, I could use an extra carabiner on one of the pack's reinforced haul handles to secure the pack at an appropriate stopping point before opening it. - The asymmetrical drawstring closure was easy to open with one hand and easy and cast to close.
That last detail comes directly from the Focus series' climbing DNA. Both Focus packs use dual haul handles because a pack designed for vertical terrain sometimes needs to be secured and accessed off your back. Here, the design worked exactly as intended.
The Focus 15 carries just enough to keep a self-sufficient day efficient. The Focus 25 would make more sense for a guide, a colder day or anyone carrying extra water, layers, first-aid equipment or gear for other people. For our warm-weather outing, the 15L was the right answer.
Free and accessible—but not casual
Access is free, but this is not casual recreation. Independent users must follow current county rules, carry the waiver and use a certified energy-absorbing via ferrata lanyard, climbing harness and helmet. The route also has weight and reach requirements.
Dyno Outfitters offers guides, complete rental kits and convenient after-hours returns. They also will be our newest dealer carrying Pingora. Check current rules, weather and gear requirements with Dyno or the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata before leaving home.
Why places like Ashley Gorge matter
The entry barrier to via ferrata is lower than traditional climbing. The pucker factor is not. That combination helps people enter vertical terrain and leave feeling more capable—a win for participants, Vernal and the outdoor industry.
Ashley Gorge delivers a legitimate challenge without requiring years of climbing experience. The Focus 15 carried exactly what I needed without asking me to think about it once we were on the wall. For a pack, that's about as good a field test as it gets.
Safety and accuracy note for publication
Route rules, construction, operating dates and rental policies may change. Before publishing—and periodically afterward—confirm current information with Dyno Outfitters and the Ashley Gorge Via Ferrata. This article describes one group's experience and is not a substitute for qualified instruction, current route information or personal risk assessment.
Mike May, Pingora Co-Founder