Snow report Kleinwalsertal, 12/21/2013

Snow condition

Generally speaking, MUCH too little for mid-December. But: Skinned up at the Ifentaalstation (Auenhütte) and hiked to just below the summit. The forest road through the Schwarzwassertal was completely covered in snow. And from 1500m, the choice of route was relatively unrestricted. The snow cover is often interrupted by rocks, but there is enough snow. Hählekopf (2058m) was actually also on the program but we left it due to the exposure (ascent: south). There is definitely not enough snow here!

Snow quality

From 1600m, set powder snow on old snow cover - not a dream but at least something. Even close to the ridge, the snow wasn't so heavily blown. Still relatively light in the morning, then heavier and heavier as the day progressed. Wet and heavy below 1400m. But here you have to stay on the ascent route anyway.

Relatively relaxed. Steeper parts of the slope can be skied on. Nevertheless, pay attention to older drift snow accumulations!

Overall impression

A fairly relaxed tour with several shorter descents (and ascents of course) in eastern exposure on the Steinmandl. More snow would of course still be nice to be able to increase the scope (e.g. Hählekopf)