Sölden, Ötztal on 23.04.2021 | Benji_01

Snow condition

The snow conditions are good for (almost) the end of April. You can easily reach the parking lot in Gries via the toboggan run and cross-country ski trail. There is plenty of snow on steep slopes, but be careful of stone contact in places.

Snow quality

Took in all exposures and snow qualities on the way to/from the Schrankogel today. In the morning, the forest path and the snow cover in the terrain are well frozen, so that it is possible to walk comfortably here. You definitely need crampons in some of the steeper terrain. Our goal was to ski the north-east flank of the Schrankogel, which was waiting for us with beautiful powder. Further down, the snow on the Schwarzenbergferner already had a light cover. After a short break, another ascent to the Schrankarkogel and a descent to the north/northwest with nice powder, especially in the upper area. At lower altitudes and on sunny slopes, the snow cover quickly becomes damp, so good time management is important here.

There were some loose slides and wet avalanches from sunny slopes. In steep terrain close to the crest, watch out for drift snow, which is mainly on soft layers or on a gritty base.

Overall impression

Lange und anstrengende Tour, aber insgesamt ein sehr schöner Tag. Für die zu bewältigenden 2.200 Hm auf der Runde Gries-Schrankogel-Schrankarkogel-Gries ist eine gute Konditionen und vor allem eine ausreichende Versorgung mit Clif Bars von zentraler Bedeutung. Das Spuren in der Nordost-Flanke kann bei viel Gries-Schnee sehr anstrengend werden und sollte bei der Zeitplanung berücksichtigt werden. Kleiner Tipp noch an alle Camelbak Verwender (zum Beispiel ChevChelios): Ab und zu das Wasser aus dem Schlauch pusten, damit hier nichts eingefrieren kann.