In reply to Monk:
>As for going without the cables, they aren't really graded for that, so if there is a ladder section, the rock could be very blank. However, the 5c I have done without pulling on the cables was probably about VS at most. Having said that, the falls are potentially far worse than your average VS trad lead - you can be looking at 5m down a cable before your VF kit kicks in.
Agreed - the times given and grades assume you're cable hauling where appropriate. Unless the terrain is very easy, I like to keep a hand on the cable at all times because if I do fall, I'll slide down it and thus avoid the high factor fall.
For the OP - if you're happy with heights and climbing, consider trying something like Col Dei Bos (AKA Degli Alpini) as your first, or possibly Sandro Pertini or Trincee - all really fun VFs and give you a feel for what it's like with fairly steep, exposed terrain and a cable.