Ben, Jon and I returned for the sixth week of our week-a-year traverse of the Greater Alpine Arc (Es will rejoin next year).
Using skimo racing kit we travel light, staying in huts and valley bases whenever possible, and adjust the route as we go to suit weather and mountain conditions.
Our aim is to ski the Alpine Arc from the Mediterranean to Vienna - linking terrain to further the journey, rather than seeking out peaks or specific ski descent.
Day 1: Starting at Mutterberg roadhead south of Innsbruck we headed up a gorge which we suspected would 'go'. Happily it did, and this then put us up a wild valley and over a col before a long descent on initially fantastic snow.
Day 2: Now in the valley at the Brenner Pass motorway we had some walking on quiet alpine roads before some bushwacking on a southerly slope which had been mostly stripped of snow, until we accessed the gentler slopes above. Crossing briefly though a ski area we descended to the beautifully situated Olpererhütte.
Day 3: Skiing some sun-affected crust for breakfast we made it down to a dam, then followed roads and a picturesque valley before eventually rising up onto the glacier and bagging the Schwarzenstein. A short descent took us to the bling Schwarzensteinhütte which had triple glazing and a Bond-baddie look perched atop a steep slope.
Day 4: We started with a 2000m descent to the valley which was initially firm, then became lovely in the morning sun, then softened to banditry. A long walk up the valley to get in position for Day 5, and a rustic South Tirolean doss.
Day 5: The weather had deteriorated and overcast skies meant the snowpack hadn't had a refreeze overnight, leading to rapidly softening snow and rising avalanche concerns. We stopped early at the Warnsdorfer hutte which was already almost full and led to a cozy night.
Day 6: Starting early we travelled through some impressive terrain of the Hohe Tauern National Park in poor vis, deteriorating to snowing. Sadly not many views of the Grossvenediger which promises to be a great ski peak for another time. Reaching the tiny village of Matreier Tauernhaus we had a slap up meal, lots of strudel and even a sauna!
Day 7: Another early start took us up over 2 high cols in brilliant weather, before descending to busy Rudolfshütte. We then skied out along pistes to the roadhead at Enzingerboden, and got a hitch to the valley and transport links.