Ötztal on 12.04.2022 | Sumedum

Snow condition

Looks more like November or the end of the alpine touring season than the beginning of the alpine touring season. At the moment, you can get to the Martin Busch Hütte by unbuckling your skis about four times and once a little longer and walking. There will probably be more carrying soon, as there is not always snow next to the well-trodden path. From the hut to the glacier, the snow is really thin, but sufficient. The crevasses on the glacier are well closed, like most people we went up and down without a rope today.

Snow quality

Strong wind and some powder alternate without being visually recognizable - rather tedious but not catastrophic. In the flat section to the Dan hut, nice firn which was of little use to us due to the very flat terrain. The south side would probably have been the better choice for skiing today, I don't think the firn there is perfect yet, but it is quite decent.

We found it very safe. Due to the east-facing slopes above the access point, which are apery as far as the eye can see, we had no concerns when approaching yesterday from 16:30 and leaving today from 13:00.

Overall impression

Super high tour, currently uninteresting in terms of skiing. As described above, looking for firn is probably more rewarding at the moment.