Edge grinding in the Chiemgau Alps on 16.01.2022

Snow condition

I already know why I've kept still until today and haven't done any touring yet - the middle altitudes in particular are really appallingly miserable. Up to 1500 m and higher, it's only really reasonable in gullies and hollows in the northern sector. In the valley, there are 10 cm of still cold, dry powder on concrete fields with a layer of frost. This doesn't change until very high up, except that it gets hard on the sunny side and from 1300 onwards the hollows slowly show an incoherent base. Only the shady gully at the top was either completely or partially full, but even there some bare ice and all the rocks lying in the wind were visible. Pines and bushes are all still at eye level anyway.

Snow quality

The second star is for the nicely placed nub powder in the channel, you could also give it three - you dream yourself into the steepest colouirs, but it would be the perfect consistency. Further down, the handbrake is set to the stop everywhere anyway, as there is no base. In the shade, however, it would theoretically still be powder even down to the very bottom. Facing the sun, hard snow is already forming at all altitudes.

Dangers from avalanches are kept well within limits, the snow cover is nice and relaxed. You have to watch out for obstacles such as branches, stones and hard avalanche boulders.

Overall impression

Well, first tour of the season - very late and yet too early. With the exception of filled shady gullies, there's not much to be gained here, you have to be extremely careful right up to the summits not to hit anything. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day, and the gully had a few very fun turns in store, despite the advanced rutting, as the snow in the shade is still very fine to ski. Hence the second star - but the goodies are quite expensive at the moment! Go tobogganing friends. Trend: The current thin, fine snow cover is not really suitable as a base, there would have to be a proper dump during the week for it to be very good straight away.