Bockmattli attempt 2
This was my second ski-touring trip to Bockmattli, after the first was abandoned at the top of the Couloir in January last year. The snow then was thin, crusty, and a real challenge to ski, but with the recent dumps in Switzerland, and a moderate avalanche risk, I figured it would be in good condition.
We climbed through the mist from Ennenda, instead of the normal route from Innerthal, to avoid the flattish walk in and ski out on the dirt track to the alps. This was mostly a good call, with a beautiful hike up, breaking a trail between snow-laden trees, and some awesome powder skiing between the trees on the W facing slopes below the Bockmattlihuette, but brought it's own excitement (of which more later).
As we approached the Bockmattlihuette, the snow changed, and a thin wind-crust started to crack ominously, and just above the hut on the (ascending) right-hand side of the couloir, a 10 m long, 20 cm wide fracture line opened in front of me. Backing off, we moved safely to the
Jan 28, 2012
Photos: 16
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