Ski tour from "Wilden Krimml" into the "Alpbachtal"

Four Holledauer and three Alpbacher set out on a ski tour in initially sunny March weather. They were the first to get on the lift, starting at Silberleiten, then reaching Königsleiten with the gondola up to Königsleitenspitze, then to Isskogel, and finally to the Übergangsjoch.

From there, they skied back about 200 meters to leave the piste heading north towards Katzenkopf and Torhelm. After a leisurely descent, they went uphill again, but first, they had to prepare their touring skis for the ascent.

While the three "guides" Gebhard, Andi, and Stefan from Alpbach quickly had their gear on their feet, we were aimlessly fiddling with the sticky skins and learning how to set the climbing aids.

Like children with their kindergarten backpacks, our guides hung avalanche transceivers around our necks. But now it was time to go. Like elephants, we stomped behind the guide until we received the tip to not constantly lift the skis but to glide smoothly over the snow.

We were just beginners, excited about the ski adventure but with no experience at all.

During the ascent to Katzenkopf, we didn't quite trust our touring skis, especially in the switchbacks, where we secured ourselves with our poles to prevent slipping backward, fearing we might slide down like on alpine skis. However, the skins kept us safely in the track and in the steep sections.

The sun was shining at its best, and soon beads of sweat were running down our faces. We were all plagued by the same thoughts: Can I hold out? What will happen if I can't keep up? Hopefully, I won't become a burden.

During the rhythm of the first ascent, we cheered ourselves up by silently listing the names of friends who would never manage this tour.

Snap! Amazing!

After about 40 minutes, we reached Katzenkopf and were surprised that we had actually managed the first ascent quite confidently. After the "Berg Heil" congratulations, we longed for the summit sun and took out our first snack.

Shortly after, a second group arrived and was pleased with the homemade weaknesses and vices of the Bavarians, who among other things always carried their beer with them. In response, we uncorked two halves of Augustiner, which made the Bavarian friend’s eyes widen, but he didn’t say anything else.
Then he fell silent.

Refreshed, we strapped on our skis to head towards the Koathalmhütte. Our guide disappeared behind the rocks, and one of us, shouting "Hurrah!", followed after him. The daring spirit of our Holledau friend impressed the other Alpbachers greatly. Shortly after the "Hurrah!", our brave one got up from the snow. The rest of us weren’t quite as bold and habitually asked if there might be an easier way, only to find ourselves skiing safely alongside the rocks in the steep gully.

The icy, broken snow revealed our skiing limitations. Afterwards, we stood in awe at the foot of the ski slope, proud of the symmetry of our tracks and our courage. The rest of the descent was rather gentle due to the slope, but the changing snow conditions made us feel uncertain about our turns.

Given the promising progress of the ski tour so far, our guides shared the route plan with others and chose the Hüttenkopf as the next destination.

Again, about an hour of ascent over sparkling snowfields and collapsing avalanche slopes, which we crossed one by one. When one of us dropped the water bottle from his backpack and it tumbled down the slope, we had to admit once more that we were beginners. For us, the bottle was lost!

Quick to react, Stefan from Alpbach, who was behind us, cut across the steep terrain to intercept the bottle. Then he ran straight up the slope, like a mailman, to properly deliver the bottle back to us.

The second ascent was already much more secure, allowing us to take in the impressive mountain world in its seclusion. Passing by the Schafkopf, we now traveled for miles across moderately steep terrain covered with firm snow. We felt like kings. The equipment, snow, camaraderie, and skill combined to create an impressive experience.

We didn't have time to rest; the joy pushed us downhill. After crossing the stream, we had to climb again to the Koathalmhütte, but the experience and the upcoming snack made it easy to safely navigate the terrain torn apart by an avalanche.

Hardly had we taken shelter under the eaves of the mountain hut when it started to snow. When angels travel!

We sat at the right place at the right time and were able to wait comfortably until the snowstorm subsided. A few days earlier, an avalanche had gone off above our hut, but the clever builders had constructed it so skillfully on the slope that the avalanche "hopped over" it.

Now, the final ascent to the Otto-Leisel-Hütte followed, which we reached after about 30 minutes in the steep terrain. It had become cold by then.

One last look back at the Torhelm, and then we headed downhill to the Steinberger Alm, where the snow still reached up to the eaves, passing avalanche sites that made us briefly thoughtful, along the trail to the Faulbaumgartenalm, where we knew we had made it.

In the narrow room, we hesitantly allowed ourselves a beer, and we kept talking and laughing, ordering another beer until we had gathered 100 euros worth of beer money. Luckily, the innkeeper had to go down to the valley, so we set off in a victorious march,

joyfully and exuberantly riding the remaining 6 kilometers along the farm road. It was around 5 p.m. when we boarded the post bus in Inneralpbach and headed to a nightcap at the inn. We enjoyed the nightcap very much, and we arrived safely.