Via ferrata routes, which mix the thrill of rock climbing with the safety of hiking, have been slow to aatch on in the U.S. – but that's about to change.

As per National Geographic, this vertiginous ladder makes up a section of the Grosser Donnerkogel via ferrata (an italina word that means "iron way").

Stunned after the thunderstorm drama on the Donnerkogel! A father (61) and his son (25) were surprised by a wild storm on the Himmelsleiter via ferrata. The older man fell 150 meters to his death ...

Drama on the Donnerkogel (Upper Austria). A Hungarian (61) and his son (25) had climbed the via ferrata there despite a thunderstorm warning. The two were surprised by a thunderstorm. After being ...

Via Ferrata dates back to World War I, when troops used it to transport men and material. Fox31 went to Arkansas Valley Adventures in Idaho Springs to give it a try.