Snow report Alpenostrand, 02/14/2021

Snow condition

The snow conditions are sufficient, especially on this tour you have either (small) meadows and forest roads in the lower areas and therefore don't need the forest. From approx. 1300m you then change to the non "built" area and here there was already enough snow even in the steeper forest areas. You have to be a little careful in the higher forest, especially on snow-covered deadwood trunks. But that's common anyway. The fresh snow of the last few days (even yesterday, after a sunny day, there were a few centimetres of fresh snow at the top in the evening/night) is quite noticeable on the descent. A maximum of 5 cm, but considerably more in snow-covered hollows and in drift snow lenses.

Snow quality

The gummed-up ground can be felt for the most part, especially in steeper terrain rather unpleasant. Harsh and wind-blown at the very top (hard as a pimple). There were then always a few soft turns in snow-covered hollows, trenches and drift snow lenses. Overall, however, very inhomogeneous. In the south-facing steep terrain, despite the cold, the influence of the sun was already noticeable (the snow started to melt after standing still during the descent!).

The small amount of fresh snow accumulation from the past few days is currently being blown away and drifts are forming in hollows/ditches as well as drift snow lenses in slope areas. In each case, however, very easy to recognize (like in a textbook). If the wind/storm persists, this drifting snow could reach alarming heights in special locations.

Overall impression

Solid conditions, but with rough edges. On the one hand, of course, the storm in the summit area and, on the other, the inhomogeneous snow conditions (change from soft drifting snow to hard snow cover). The bright sun with perfect visibility outshone everyone in the end, so the day definitely deserves three stars.