One of the reasons for choosing this hut was the selection of routes running up
the valley of between 700m and 900m ascent. There were a number of options
available to us and we had selected a shortlist - the first of which was
Tristkopf. This was a prominent peak standing up towards the end of the valley,
and also seemed to be the selection of most of the hut occupants today.
It was a leisurely start for hut based tours - given that breakfast did not
start until 7am (however this was also a surprise being a full buffet rather
than bread and coffee). We were preparing outside for an 8:30 start, and given
our earlier days were ready ahead of most of the other groups. The sky had
clouded over during the night, however there had been a very hard frost. The sunny days of the previous week were over, however it was only high cloud with some very light snow overnight.
Our
target for today was standing up at the end of the valley.
We started off behind a group of 6 or 7 who headed off confidently around the
side of the first lump. If there had been lots of snow the route would have
followed the stream, however this was complex to cross and would have to be done
much higher up the valley - determining the actual route used.
It would not have been a true route in this valley if there was not some down
hill skinning, and after several sections we came to a tributary crossing and a
bridge next to a small barn.
Continuing up the centre of the valley and over a number of "lumps". We were
following previous tracks in the hope that they would lead to the optimal point
to cross the stream and begin the ascent
At a larger lump we descended down the other side with a complex hairpin on a
steam crossing - just to highlight how many we had done recently - this caused
no consternations at all. At this point we were also caught by our "Zimmer
Freunden" - this would be a feature of the next two days as we leapfrogged each
other during the climbs.
We continued up beside the stream (following the group ahead) and curved around
a little higher - the followers cut over the stream here and headed more
directly up the slope.
The snow in the bottom of the stream bed was very powdery, and we were glad of
the trail cut by the party in front. However at this point Steph pointed out
that one of my tails had popped off, so I chose to sort it out - big mistake. I
undid the binding and stepped off only to disappear into the snow drift and end
up like an overturned turtle. Getting back up was akin to climbing into a canoe
after capsizing in deep water.
We traversed back across the slope following the faint outline of a summer track
(under the snow), until we reached the point where a combe coming down from the
ridge offered the usual way up. This was also where those who had take the more
direct route would meet our tracks.
Climbing up to the ridge was over a series of rolling bumps, with the summit
peeking over to our right.
The top of the ridge proved to be a wide flatter col, where we turned to
continue along the ridge (it did not seem like a ridge here). Also the summit
had changed shape and looked less "pointy". We started for the slopes to the
left of the cone.
The first steep slope had some tricky turns on it - mainly due to descending
tracks scouring the turning points. We saw the party ahead of us struggling a
little so paused (mid-slope) to put on harscheisen - not the best place, since
we should have realised and sorted out at the bottom! - however it did give us
piece of mind over the smoother sections.
The top of this slope gave way to a slight relief before the final slope up to
the summit cone.
This final slope turned out to not be as steep as the previous one, with the
exception of the final part to the ridge above.
The last step up to the ridge (and ski depot) was scrubbed by descent traffic,
and the harscheisen really came into their own. We crossed over to a small dip
on the far side of the ridge to leave our skis and keep out of the way of
everyone else.
A short walk to the summit - this did not require crampons and ice axes, despite
the fact we had carried them all the way up here! However we did get some summit
photos from our room mates.
Down the way we had come up
Over the other side of the valley and west.
We dropped back down to the ski depot for a bite and also to prepare the skis
for the descent. Below Tim's party was coming up the final slope. As we were
about to set off one of that party lost a ski after a turn - as a big support of
leashes it was another point in their favour! The ski dropped 30-40m before
luckily it stopped and could be rescued.
The top slope (once it was clear) woke up our skiing legs - not difficult, just
precise. then down over the flatter section to the second, steeper, slope. This
was at the limit of being comfortable, however it eased up as we got over the
initial worry.
back at the main ridge we dropped into the combe we had climbed up - this proved
to have great skiing (provided you picked the right line - away from the frozen
choss). We did continue straight down - following the direct route rather than
our loop this morning.
At the stream crossing there was little debate as we realised it would be best
(and less effort) to put the skins on again to climb over the initial bump on
the return to the hut.
The tricky corner was easier on the way back - mainly due to skins and climbing
rather than descending!
Once over this initial lump it was down hill - with
only slight exceptions - to the hut.
After dropping the bags off, and putting the skis away, the boots on the
drying rack (yes, a heated rack was offered here), and the skins hung up to dry.
We settled into the day room for tea and the rest of our lunch.
Dinner was
vegetable broth, gammon steak, parsley potatoes and peas& spinach, followed
by plum compote and cake crumb..
