No freezing overnight, and rain predicted for the early afternoon which made
mountain visits difficult, so we opted for a tour up to Patcherkofel - a
prominent bump above Innsbruck, especially so because of a huge radio mast stuck
on the top. The way up was via the ski area below and then a marked route up to
the top. The ski area had some managed tour runs as part of its offering so our
way would be marked. We would take the "Olympiaroute" from the bottom station to
the top as it formed a large S shape through the ski area, then the
"Gipfelroute" to the top.
We got up early to try and be on top before the rain came in later in the day
(and also because if we completed the whole ascent it would push our upper limit
on height gain). The parking had a charge (which all the local resorts around
here seem to have, but not extortionate at 6 euros for the day - refunded if you
bought a lift ticket).
Everythign around the area was green, with the thin ribbons of the pistes going
upwards. However we set off up the marked "Olympic" route which seemed to follow
the red and black runs up to the top station. When there is more snow around the
route follows a track beside the piste, however it was clear today, and everyone
was going up the side of the red run.
Very soon we had to climb up a steep section up past a wood - the snow was soft
and the steepness was on the edge of viability for us, however getting over it
gave us confidence for the next few sections.
The piste curved back towards the main gondola lift (the ones marked on the map
are not there any more)
Crossing several other pistes before we had to climb two more very steep
sections.
Finally we arrived at the middle station and we continued on the black run as it
curved the other way, There was two main very steep sections here, but in
general it was just steep.
At one point we had to zigzag at the side just to get some traction - by now the
snow was either rock hard where the surface had been skimmed off or like wet
sugar where the debris had piled up and prone to slipping if you got too much
rubbish under the skins.
A last very steep section and we arrived up at the top station, just after two
guys in lycra passed us for the second time, having been up and around already.
It seemed these routes were used for race training by the locals
That was just under 1000m of ascent and there was still 250m up to the top,
however everyone was keen to keep going, despite the fact that the wind was
getting up - not cold, but annoying. We paused in the lee of the top station for
a snack then off for the second half.
The route to the top was a track that wound around the side then back again
above the top station, with the usual short cuts straight up. Not knowing if
there was enough snow for the shortcut, and also in need of a calmer section
after all the steep bits we set off along the road.
The road contoured and climbed the mountain parallel to the Brenner pass road,
so we could see right up the valley and some of the routes we had done
previously (if they were below the cloud level).
Eventually the road cut back in a several zigzags, before a hopeful direct track
cut the corner back around above the top station, so we climbed up it to meet
the road again just below the top.
The top was a collection of masts, and buildings (an old lift station - no
longer in use, several to do with the masts and a separate house) with a huge
wooden cross overlooking the valley below.
We wondered around the various high points (including some downhill skinning)
before settling for a well deserved lunch behind the old lift station out of the
wind. 1250m of ascent was getting close to our record!
Looking back over the summit plateau and a also down into the Inn valley and
Innsbruck below.
We dropped down the track all the way back to the top station, more about making
sure we did not have to fight the wet sugary snow. The rain was threatening on
parts of the descent but did not really get going.
Then it was a descent of the Olympic track all the way back to the bottom - the
snow was much the same as it had been all day - sugar granules and hard pack,
however skiing down, and especially on the piste was not too much of a challenge
- just very tired legs.
At the bottom we dropped into the restaurant for chips and pop - a fitting
way to celebrate the successful route.
There are a couple of huge advantage with having the benefit of a piste to ski down and that is you do not have to reserve energy for the complexities of off-piste skiing, and can therefore safely use more reserves on the climb, as well as not having to watch the clock for the optimal turn around time to make the most of the snow conditions.
