Snow report Zillertal Alps South, 05/24/2019

Snow condition

Significantly more snow than in recent years at the same time. The Oberbergbach is still covered in a good layer of snow, so you can continue on skis on the way to the Messner Bivouac relatively soon after the first meadows. From the first hairpin bend on the Pfitscher Joch road, you have to carry your skis on your back for a while, of course. The rock bar in the lower part of the north face is only visible in the middle. At the very top at the exit, the last few meters are blown off and the bare ice shines through in the middle. If you exit to the far right on the ascent, you can get through without coming into contact with the ice. The far left should also be fine.

Snow quality

There was great powder snow on the north face. You definitely need someone in good shape to take over the track work. In the lowest part of the wall it was waist-deep, then it got better. The conditions were fantastic for the descent, and at 10:15 there was beautiful firn below the wall. Below the Griesscharte it got wetter and wetter as the altitude decreased. However, if you're not too late, you can still get good firn down relatively far.

The recent heavy snowfalls have caused a real mess around the Hochfeiler. Some huge slab avalanches can be seen. In addition, there are countless wet snow avalanches from steep terrain, and on the first day of good weather you should definitely avoid the Hochfeiler, as there is something coming down from steep terrain on a large part of the route, and due to the strong sunlight and relatively warm temperatures, the main danger at the moment is wet snow avalanches. Start early and finish tours on time. It's incomprehensible that on our way back at a saddle to the Rötkess at 10:30 a.m. we met 6 people on the ascent who wanted to climb and descend the north face of the Hochfeiler! Depending on the time of day, it may be a good idea not to take the steep gully back to the Griesscharte on the way back, but to walk with skins in an arc to a saddle a little further north. From there you can also ski down towards the bivouac without any problems and don't have to climb up the avalanche-prone gully.

Overall impression

Hochfeiler Nordwand is only once a year! (In exceptional cases also 2x :D )
This year I caught my favorite wall in outstanding conditions, it has never been better and it probably won't get any better. You definitely have to give it 5 stars.

For more information on the Hochfeiler north face, I recommend reading the Powderguide.com TouringTip: https://www.powderguide.com/magazin/tourenresorts/artikel/tourentipp-hochfeiler-nordwand.html