Mieminger chain on 02.03.2022 | ChevChelios

Snow condition

The Mieminger Kette around the Hochplattig has already received quite a bit of snow this winter (the nearest measuring station at the Neue Alpl Hütte still measures a good 2m of snow at an altitude of 1500m). As a result, the snow situation looks very good, except for south-facing altitudes below 1300m. The uppermost, steep and rocky part has snow throughout. We were even able to ski down directly from the summit cross (traverse 20m along the ridge and then ski in), the descent at least from the ridge exit will certainly continue for a while if it doesn't get very warm. The snow conditions in the gully are also very good, no rock contact and, compared to some photos/reports, no avalanche tracks or nodules. The descent in the gully is easy up to approx. 1350m, then you descend approx. 150m on the forest path (2 short 5m unbuckles). From an altitude of 1200m at the latest, you will unfortunately have to carry your skis, as there will soon be no more snow.

Snow quality

We left the summit (2750m) at 11am. The top 250m were already wet due to the south-facing exposure, the description of wet powder fits better than firn. From 2500m the gully turns more to the southwest, on the riders right side (more southeast) the snow was already firned up, on the riders left side (southwest) it was still rather hard. The south-facing field below the gully had good firn until it turned more to the west further down and became harder again. Below approx. 1800m, the south-west side was already slightly softened and became better and better firn with decreasing altitude. You could probably have been a bit earlier for the upper part, and probably a lot later for the lower part. The timing of the descent is somewhat difficult, as the uppermost part gets sun very early and you definitely don't want to make a descent with wet snow due to the exposure (several hundred meters of rockfall below). It is therefore better to be there a little earlier, even if the lower part is still hard (or take a break beforehand).

In my opinion, the snow cover on the south side is currently very stable, and due to the lower temperatures there is also a low risk of wet snow avalanches during the course of the day. The risk of falling due to icy/hard snow surfaces is much higher there.

Overall impression

"One of the most impressive and longest lines in the Mieminger Kette" writes Reini Scherer about the Gache gully on the Hochplattig. This gully had been on our wish list for some time, and now we were finally able to ski it in good conditions. Even if you have to get used to getting up early again (a leisurely 3 a.m. start in Innsbruck), it was well worth it. Beautiful sunrise, which we already experienced at 2000m (up to there it went well with skins + crampons, except for the first 350m). From then on, however, the fun really started and the further 850m to the summit had to be trudged, which took quite a bit of effort due to the unstable cover in the middle and the not yet settled snow in the upper part (thanks to 3 cans of MagicMan within 2 hours, which made it all possible in the first place). The descent is very steep (and rocky) for the first 100 m, which requires a bit of commitment if you want to ski straight from the summit. After that, the steepness drops to 38-45 degrees, which is pleasant to ski on a soft snow surface. When you look back from the parking lot, you really realize the enormous dimensions of this line.