By now, ski touring guides really are a dime a dozen. But the relatively new guide "Freeski Alpin" by Reini Scherer is a very special one.
First of all, he focuses on a single mountain range, the Mieminger Kette, but sets himself the goal of documenting all possible downhill variants there. As a result, significantly more difficult and dangerous routes are described than in almost all other guides from German-speaking countries. Although the Mieminger Kette is quite manageable in terms of its extent, and the Grünsteinscharte and the area around the Coburger Hütte are very popular ski tours, the much larger part of the mountain range is hardly ever visited by skiers. The area is too undeveloped and too wild, typical ski tours are rather rare, and anyway, are there any worthwhile descents there? There are, but they are often really serious alpine undertakings that are not described in typical ski touring guides. Reini Scherer is not bothered by this and provides detailed descriptions of around 130 skiable lines on over 20 peaks between Hoher Munde and Hochwannig in his 400-page book. Particular attention is paid to assessing the difficulty and seriousness of the various ascent and descent variants, which is highly appropriate, especially for the sometimes extreme variants. The descriptions are supplemented by overview photos with marked lines, which not only provide orientation, but also give a good impression of the tours in the book. The book is rounded off with chapters on equipment, the history of steep face skiing, material, technique, tips & tricks and more, as well as a list of documented steep descents in Tyrol.
Click through sample pages from the book
Conclusion
Comprehensive work for the relatively manageable Mieminger Kette. Many challenging ascents and descents for (ambitious or less ambitious) ski mountaineers, but also many tours for (almost) everyone.
Information about the book
Freeski Alpin - Skialpinismus in der Mieminger Kette
By Reinhold Scherer
408 pages
Published in 2012 by Panico Verlag
Price 29.80 euros
Here you can order the book directly from the publisher...
