Due to complete lack of snow near Vienna this winter we need to move the winter practice slightly to the west. Dachstein should be high enough and I know it well enough to find a reasonable spot for practice despite terribly thin snow cover (see grass on sunny spots around the Simony Hutte at 2100 m or grass on the top of the Krippenstein at 1800 m).
As it's quite far, I would like to make it a two days event with one day deveoted to the winter practice and the other to other activities based on our preferences. Those of us who are skilled enough in mixed conditions can go with me on Hoher Dachstein (a B ferrata), the west ridge ferrata on the Koppenkarnstein (B/C), the Irg II ferrata (C/D with south exposure so it should be snow free) or even try the Skywalk. Those who are not can try cross country skiing in Ramsau or on-piste skiing in Schaldming.
What is the winter practice?
It's an event where we gather to practice arresting in snow, avalanche search, setting up snow anchors and a pulley systems and other snow-related skills in a safe and controlled environment.
It's not a winter nor alpinizm course. In general you should already know the stuff you are going to practice and the event is to make sure you still remember how it goes and you can do it efficienlty.
It's also a prerequsite to attend some high-alpine tours with me (both ACV and non-ACV ones).
Itinerary
- Drivers voted we start on Friday at 12:00, take the cable car up before it closes at 16:20 and reach the Seethalerhütte.
- Whole Saturday we spend on the winter practice and again sleep in the Seethalerhütte.
- On Sunday we split up. Those who have enough skill in mix terrain can try to do one or two ferratas around (Hoher Dachstein - B, Koppenkarstein west ridge - B/C, Irg II C/D) and those who don't, can do cross country skiing (either on the glacier or in Ramsau) or switch to the other side of the valley for on-piste skiing. We meet more or less at 17:00 at the bottom stain of the cable car and drive back to Vienna.
Cost
- hut around 140 EUR (bed + halb penzion but no drinks included)
- cable car 54 EUR
- gas around 20 EUR per person
If you need to rent equipment, check prices on https://www.alpenverein-austria.at/austria/service/ausruestungsverleih/
Remarks
- Please indicate in the notes what are your preferences for Sunday.
- With the current amount of snow conditions on ferratas should be fine. Still it's winter and this will be a more serious endeavor than in summer. I reserve myself right to decide if you are ready for the challenge based on your performance on Saturday.
- Ferrata activity on Sunday depends on the weather. Bad weather is an obious no-go. We do not need good weather for the practice on Saturday though.
- If you have a car and want to start from Vienna on Saturday before sunrise and/or go back to Vienna already on Saturday, please indicate it in the notes.
