Karlstor on 01.04.2025 | schneerudi

Snow condition

Start from P on skis possible, but often only just (5cm new). Ascent: Up to 1600, there was only fresh snow on the west side with a few exceptions. Half of the cirque itself was cleared by an avalanche a few days ago. Some stones were therefore only just covered with snow again. From 1600 on the north side but ok overall. Descent: From Karlstor to the east. That was a good decision. Up to 1300 to the rear Gemstelalp you could ski down without any stone contact and really step on the gas, sometimes up to 35 cm in blown-in areas. There was still a base down here. But then it was time to walk out of the valley, even with the stoniest stone skis, skiing would not have been an option.

Snow quality

The quality of the fresh snow on the ascent was very good. However, there was a lot of sleet, and again and again over hard spots, avalanche bulges, drift snow on sleet. Very unrhythmic and sometimes exhausting to walk. On the east side of the descent, either the sun was in briefly in the morning or a crust formed between the sleet and the powder snow above, which was now still in the wet snow stage. I have no idea. In any case, not as good as on the north side, as you could ski all the way down, but still the better choice.

I would rather agree with the Vorarlberger, who only issues a 3 from 2000, not the Allgäuer who says from the tree line. In my opinion, there is not enough fresh snow for that. Drift snow and embedded sleet must be taken into account. Due to the avalanche on the ascent, the ground was highly structured, so it was more likely to be islands of drift snow. There was no more than a wedge on sleet in the bend. I couldn't observe anything on the descent.

Overall impression

After doubts on the ascent, it was the right decision to go up. It's a privilege to be able to ski a fashionable tour in powder snow in the late morning and then make the first tracks on one of the most beautiful slopes in the Allgäu, with 800m of powder snow and a base (sic!). These are probably the advantages in spring when you have to traipse 5km to the car afterwards.