Via Ferrata Climb to Omiš Fort

Topo from bergsteigen.com:

After seeing a group of people in harnesses on my visit to Tvrđava "Stari grad" (303 m) the day before, I couldn't get the idea of climbing the via ferrata out of my head. So I decided to return to the Omiš hillside alone the next day and give it a try. Of course, I only had my trusty socks and sandals and an Insta360 camera with me, so I had to risk doing the climb without any safety equipment.

The beginning of the climb was a bit hard to find. You need to pass the car tunnel and then look for a small trail leading up the cliff immediately to the right of the tunnel exit. Once you find and ascend it, you come across a place of worship near the start of the actual via ferrata route.

From there, the climb begins in earnest. The route is well-equipped with metal rungs, cables, and ladders, making it accessible even for beginners coming from abroad, as I observed from the group I saw the previous day. The views keep getting better as you ascend, with stunning vistas of the Brač Channel keeping you company all the way to the top.

Regardless of footwear, the climb is not overly easy. It's marked as grade B, and it's easily doable with a safety harness and a helmet. Without them, and holding my camera in one hand (and occasionally in my mouth), wearing sandals on the spiky surfaces, I had no room for errors. There were moments when I had to stop and compose myself before proceeding, especially on the steeper sections.

The section before the ladder with a slight negative incline was particularly annoying, as I had to bite the camera to free both hands for climbing. But I managed to get through it without any mishaps.

The last portion of the climb is really nice, not as steep and with a big flat surface to climb on. Once you reach the top, you're rewarded with a fantastic view of Omiš, the Adriatic Sea, and the surrounding islands. On the opposite side, you're protected from winds by the fort walls, with a small opening to climb through to reach the paid entrance.

Unfortunately, when the lady charging the entrance fee saw my socks and sandals, she refused to let me in, saying I was reckless and set a negative example for others. As I had no good arguments to counter her point of view, I had to accept her decision and leave without exploring the fort itself.

The way down was uneventful, retracing my steps from yesterday. This time, I knew the slippery sections to watch out for, so I could speedrun the descent without any issues.

Overall, the via ferrata climb to Tvrđava "Fortica" was an exhilarating experience, with or without proper gear. The views were spectacular, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top was well worth the effort. Of course, I highly advise anyone attempting this climb to use proper safety equipment and footwear to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

P.S. Obviously, my mom was not happy when I told her about this adventure later that day.