Will my many hours of training in the gym, in the forest and on the grass since the beginning of January pay off? With these thoughts and a good dose of respect but also a lot of anticipation for the coming week, I get into the car with Thomas, who, like me, was a participant in the risk'n'fun training session in Sölden. In a good mood, we make our way to the Klostertal valley to the Sonnenkopf on the Arlberg, where we continue with level 2, the next level
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We move into our rooms in an extremely rustic guesthouse and the course starts straight away: after a round of introductions in which we discuss our expectations for the week ahead, as well as a brief repetition of the basics from the training session, e.g. searching with the avalanche transceiver and an overview of the touring options on the Sonnenkopf, we wind down for the evening so that we can get started the next day. The group fits together really well, which is evident from the very first ascent. Everyone helps when it comes to the correct assembly of various aids and sports equipment. Muesli bars and snacks are always generously shared. While our mountain guides set the tone on the first tour, this changes dramatically over the course of the week. The ascent to the Omesspitz with snowshoes and telescopic poles (the latter are to become my new best friends) is unfamiliar at first, but quickly learned.
Unfortunately, we already have to lament a loss on the first ascent: Thomas, with whom I had traveled together, struggles with the hairpin bends and falls. His kneecap becomes loose and he has to be flown out by helicopter. Fortunately, the poor guy is back on the bus to the guesthouse by the afternoon. Luckily for him, his kneecap slipped back into place when he took off his ski boots in hospital, but he can no longer ski at this point. Despite the excitement, we keep our eyes open at all times to recognize and interpret wind signs. The sun is shining and we enjoy the ascent in peace and quiet. We make our first descent in moderate avalanche danger, partly diffuse light and relatively hard snow. After another very strenuous ascent, we reach the ski area. Here we continue our training straight away. We use the evening to practise using topographical maps and plan our first tours.
On the third day, various group members take over the leadership of our group for the first time, despite poor visibility. A few sliding snow avalanches and sliding snow mouths indicate the continuing danger of sliding snow avalanches. After a short ascent to the Purtschakopf, we are rewarded with a great descent and the sun kindly flashes through at just the right moment. I feel like I could tear out trees. :-) The group members give each other lots of feedback and we learn a lot from this. Once back in the ski area, the next item on the syllabus is a more in-depth look at avalanche awareness. The group is super motivated to learn and, as in Sölden during the training session, it is impressive how helpful and knowledge-enhancing every single exercise is. The exercises are full of practical questions, such as how to make an emergency call if I can't describe exactly where I am. We return to the guesthouse with lots of questions and ideas for improvement. As I look out over a beautiful evening panorama, I no longer have the slightest doubt that this is exactly what I'm looking for and love.
The evening is spent away from home, with more exciting exercises from the trainers. Mrs. Holle means well with us and shakes out her pillows vigorously. The atmosphere is almost Christmassy when we return to the guesthouse to the sound of the bells ringing. The next day, the group sets off on a short ascent under the guidance of individual members. The descent is great and our trainer gives me tips on how to master steeper descents even better. The snow is covered in dust and I could only cheer.
However, the view remains mixed, which often makes management decisions more difficult. We have intense discussions as a team. However, thanks to the occasional clearing of the sky and a few tips from the mountain guides, we find our descent route through the forest and descend into the Nenzigasttal valley. Here, I'm always happy about my new telescopic poles, which I've really come to love. As a snowboarder, you can use them to glide relatively comfortably over any pulling or hiking trail. After more exercises, which are always under the course motto: "perceive, assess and decide", we end the evening in the Kelabar with a few expressions of thanks to beautiful Austria and some "Zicke-zacke" shouting from a German teenager at a neighboring table. My helpful, laid-back Austrian group is great, oh yes.
The last day dawns and we are on our own for the first time. Our own tour, our own strategy and the goal of making our decisions based on the "stop-or-go" risk check method. After checking the avalanche report, we are informed about the conditions: fresh drift snow in the ridges, but still moderate avalanche danger. The visibility remains changeable, but we start our last ascent in a good mood. Our trainers are keeping a low profile today, but are always ready for emergencies. And our plan and our initiative are rewarded, as they should be: with the finest POWDER! In addition to the flow experience in the downhill smoke, there are other interesting observations to be made. Because a larger group also means more different opinions - and the potential for extensive discussions. And if another guided group comes into view, the good intentions can quickly come to an end. Don't worry: everything is still in the green - in the end, everyone finds their line and despite a small detour and a nudge from the mountain guides, we once again find a forest track that is easy to navigate. We draw our conclusions during an extensive feedback session. Everyone takes home some areas for improvement but also enormous learning progress and everyone is convinced that they have taken another step in the right direction with the camp. Everyone wants to enjoy the white rush as often as possible and the camp has helped to refresh existing knowledge, learn a lot of new things and put them into practice.
But instead of heading home now, the next exciting part of the program is waiting for me right away: despite the early departure of my ride, I reach the "chill-out" event in Fieberbrunn in the Pillerseetal valley after an exciting day thanks to a risk'n'fun trainer. This is the traditional end-of-season event of the risk'n'fun program, in which all participants of the various levels offered by risk'n'fun can take part. The joy of seeing group members from the previous session is great and new acquaintances are quickly made in the cozy surroundings. A carpool right to the front door is also found at dinner. What could possibly go wrong now? After two very interesting films about Kashmir and Kyrgyzstan, including a live report, we get in the mood for the day ahead to the sounds of reggae. Several tours start the next day and this time I am delighted to be following a mountain guide and a "strong girl" group. After a dream descent with the right mix of great snow, perfect slope inclination and weather, we are beaming with the sun on the 400-metre ascent back to the ski resort. After dinner, the participants gather again in the "Riverhouse" for a feedback session to celebrate the day, accompanied by music from "Mischgeschick". The next day is used in different ways: to go on more tours, enjoy the sun in a deckchair, improve their riding technique with professional help or browse the equipment flea market. After a BBQ in the sun, I make my way home, still smiling and happy about the many new impressions and acquaintances. Thank you Hans for taking me home in the car with the alternating hot and cold passenger seat. Nobody really knows why, because neither of us found a button for seat heating. :-) Many thanks to everyone who made this experience possible! Many thanks to the PowderGuide editorial team, but especially to the helpful mountain guides, coaches and everyone involved in risk'n'fun and all the group participants for their patience and a special thanks for the motivation and support goes to my running community at home!
Text: Sina Wittmann | Photos: Heli Düringer and Sina Wittmann
