Grubenkopf, Austria

Easter Monday ...  complete change of weather to-day, peeking through the curtains at 7am there was sun on the tops and not a cloud in sight. Great excitement, and anticipation filled the breakfast preparations, and grabbing the daysacs, we hurried down to the van. The skis were drying in the ski room from yesterday's expedition, and were packed into the ski bag. 

Taking the motorway up the valley to the Brenner pass, and finally finding the correct route to the Obernberg village, and into the vast parking area at the end.  Then disaster ...  the ski bag only contained the skis ... no poles!!!  

A return trip to Doug's shack and an hour and a half later we were ready to depart.

The route starts up a track (as many around here - also used as a sledge run so caution for later).
Cutting the corners on the track, through the fields and alpages brings you to the Alm.

Where you are greeted by a large "stuffed" deer

And the first views of the intended target ..  the pointy bit on the left of the skyline.  At this time I was just thinking it would be good to just get somewhere near!

A flat bit around the lake and then up into the trees - a recurring feature of this years routes - narrow fire breaks through the trees
Breaking out at the top and we were in the high meadows. The summit looked as far away as before and seemed unlikely to get anywhere close.

As we wound through the "dunes" of the fore hills, we were soon below the summit peak. The route went up to the col and then on upwards to the top. Unfortunately we were really tight for time...  It was 1pm and time to turnaround .. a trip tot the top would take 30 mins and half for the return, with more time for photos etc... it would be 1 hours to get back to the col. (second time this year).  Also the wind was whipping spin drift over the cornice, which helped make the decision easier.

Skins off, and boots tightened, we were off. the surface here was very wind blown and small sustrugi, however we could avoid this with care and navigate down the smoother parts of the slopes.

As we got lower the snow powdered up and the skiing became easier and before long we were approaching the forested section.

the forest trails were tight and the skiing had to be very precise...  only one route through and exacting turns.

the final section back through the fields was like piste skiing at the very end of a hard day ...  very tired legs and minds working better than muscles.

Trip route

The route tracks from A-Trip