Austrian ski traverse - Trans Alp lll

by Steve Kentish

After completing Trans Alp I & II (Menton to Chamonix and Chamonix to Galtiir), time for No. III. The continuity rules of skiing or walking only, starting each day from where the previous ended remained the same, e.g. no lifts etc.

Col below the Hidesheimer Hütte
Photo by Steve Kentish

David Hamilton and I started at Bergun, Switzerland, maintaining route continuity, heading towards Vienna. Andy Helm joined us for the first week. David had meticulously planned the route; however information was poor in Iess frequented ski tour areas.

We passed through the Engadine, Silvretta, #214;tztal, Stubai, Zlllertal, Hohe Tauern and Niedere Tauern to the Schladming valley, where we ended the trip late March in warm weather and disappearing snow.

Roped descent from Glockumjoch col
Photo by David Hamilton

Starting in February meant using unguarded huts, so suitable food and gas had to be carried. Due to their location some unguarded huts were irregularly frequented by ski tourers, but the increased solitude and sense that we were commanding our own destiny had a rewarding feeling. Supply drops were made at strategic points for the first half. Later on we purchased food where available.

The poor 2017 snow pack left slopes thin, crevasses more exposed and unusual avalanche patterns. We kept our observations and guard up but being out most days helped build our own picture.

The traverse demanded an uninterrupted route, which poses its own challenges as turning round was unlikely to meet the goal. On one occasion, under the shadow of the Gloßglockner, we were forced several hundred metres to the valley floor and back up again round an impassable steep section: great views but hard work. A similar hazard 3km from Obertauern forced a three hour detour, again to the valley floor, to travel a couple of km. We had one planned bivouac with no suitable accommodation. Late one day, with no obvious descent from the last col, the walking and ski routes were both elusive. Roped up, we took 2hrs to descend 100m, but bivvied more contented as a result.

We had an interesting marginal descent from the Wilder Pfaff, along a ridge in strong gusting winds. The following col proved nearly impossible to cross. David led the ascent up a steep snow and ice filled gully; worse was the rock which fell away easily and my helmet was well tested.

The weather was mixed; the first couple of week being best but there were several longer delays and warmer conditions later on. All this dictated a constantly moving schedule. We gradually adopted a more cautious approach with low expectations of an elusive easy day.

Austria had proved more challenging to cross than France or Switzerland. Traversing areas and passes not usually accessed on skis proved rather more interesting than we would have liked but satisfying. The trip, 650km, climbing 40,000m over 7 weeks, had been a real success, great fun to the end.

See longer article by Dave Hamilton here

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