Waking up this morning, the cloud was down again, but the snow was not forecast until the afternoon. So with worse weather forecast for the next few days we chose to grab a route, We had already determined the road up to the Bielehole pass was not yet cleared, we decide to see how far up we could get, expecting to be able to cut some of the hairpins.
When we arrived at the road head it had started to snow big heavy flakes ... unperturbed we got ready, and were soon walking up the road bed into the mist. this was well marked by the local dog walkers.
We soon found a trail coming from the Vermunt Bahn station ... this is where people take the lift up then the "tunnel bahn" and ski down.
The first hairpin was not far up the road.
After the first zigzags, the trail arrived at a bridge over the stream, with the road going to the right over it. The ma showed a summer trail going up the left hand side - there were vehicle track going left as well ... soon to notice they were heading too left, but helped make the decision to go left.
We found where the trail left the main road base, and we could see a faint outline of a flatter trace on the ode of the valley.
Cutting trail on this was not too difficult as there was a firm base under the new powder.
The trail wound along the stream bank, until it met an older avalanche debris chute, which we worked our way through the big ice blocks.
On the other side we found the two ski trails we had parted from at the bridge ... they had crossed over to avoid the debris - to note for the descent
The next section moved through an obvious break in the trees, with a gentle gradient.
After the tree section the track moved back onto the road trail, but cutting the zigzags
The next section was through alpine meadows .... somewhere under here was the road, but we took a more direct line..
We were under the cloud at this stage, but the trails coming down helped define the way to go.
The valley steepened up and the road split off right (and behind a headland) whilst the path took the valley to the left.
Following the trail it steepened as it headed up the obvious route.
Reaching what appeared at first as a shoulder, the trail took a sharp left turn and headed upwards again, steeper as well.
Another shoulder and another sharp turn tot he right and upwards again, even steeper this time.
This time the top had some buildings and nature signs, however we were now at the base of the clouds, so the route forward dipped in and out of view.
From here we followed the wide valley above ... above the treeline this was all open
The clouds continued to float around but we never saw beyond the top of the valley
Arriving at the top we met the road again, but the cloud was all down.
The Stausee popped into view as the cloud lifted, before it closed down again.
Time for lunch and turn around ... looking to the other end of the reservoir it would be difficult to get to as the slope was down to the lake, alternatively crossing over the dam and working up the other side was a long way around.
The descent down the valley was careful and tentative .. flat light and no visibility in the cloud, before it started snowing. Careful skiing in light powder on a good base made it easier than it might have been.. This brought us to top of the steep section, luckily we had dropped out of the clouds.
The steep section was nice steep powder, and took the turns well.. after yesterday this was much more confident.
Bottom of the steep section and then we were onto the meadows ... gentle straight skiing with the odd wiggle.
The section through the forest break was entertaining, and then we were out at the avalanche debris ... We followed teh previous skiers and cut over to the road on the other side of the stream.
then negotiating the barrier on the bridge to get back on the road down to the car ... the snow was now rain, and the road was cleared.
Back to the apartment, to dry out and rest. Evening meal was back at the village Italian (Il Bel Paese), walking there and back.
This would be our last night at this place, and tomorrow we would move to another place on the far side of the valley. The forecast was not good with more snow and cloud.
We soon found a trail coming from the Vermunt Bahn station ... this is where people take the lift up then the "tunnel bahn" and ski down.
The first hairpin was not far up the road.
Cutting trail on this was not too difficult as there was a firm base under the new powder.
The trail wound along the stream bank, until it met an older avalanche debris chute, which we worked our way through the big ice blocks.
On the other side we found the two ski trails we had parted from at the bridge ... they had crossed over to avoid the debris - to note for the descent
We were under the cloud at this stage, but the trails coming down helped define the way to go.
Following the trail it steepened as it headed up the obvious route.
This time the top had some buildings and nature signs, however we were now at the base of the clouds, so the route forward dipped in and out of view.
Arriving at the top we met the road again, but the cloud was all down.
Time for lunch and turn around ... looking to the other end of the reservoir it would be difficult to get to as the slope was down to the lake, alternatively crossing over the dam and working up the other side was a long way around.
The steep section was nice steep powder, and took the turns well.. after yesterday this was much more confident.
then negotiating the barrier on the bridge to get back on the road down to the car ... the snow was now rain, and the road was cleared.
Back to the apartment, to dry out and rest. Evening meal was back at the village Italian (Il Bel Paese), walking there and back.
This would be our last night at this place, and tomorrow we would move to another place on the far side of the valley. The forecast was not good with more snow and cloud.
