Rappeling to the Powder Stash

The distinctive summit of Ahornspitze in Austria's Zillertal Valley attracts not only skiers and snowboarders but also daredevil adventurers looking for new challenges. Much climbed in summer, only a few ski mountaineers can enjoy the views from the very top in winter. With an altitude of 9,754 feet Ahornspitze offers an impressive backdrop for an unforgettable ski touring experience. The starting point is the base station of the Ahorn lift in Mayrhofen. From there you can either climb the approximately 3,300 vertical feet and very steep slope or enjoy the comfort of taking the gondola to the mountain terminal and start from there. If you are not equipped with super light carbon skis, a racing kit and lots of endurance, I recommend option number 2.

From the mountain terminal you start tracking uphill with skins. The ascent to Ahornspitze requires stamina, but the views after each switchback compensate for the effort: snow-covered peaks stretch all the way to the horizon. After about three hours you reach the summit. From there you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of the Zillertal mountain range. But the real highlight is yet to come: the rappel into the north gully – provided you prefer this over the "normal line" via the western chute, respectively the descent on foot to the point where you left your skis before you climbed the last section to the summit.

Back in the ski resort and past the top lift station, you ski down the regular slope which is groomed with a winch, thus potentially posing a life hazard – so please be careful! The ski tour to Ahornspitze is, without a doubt, a unique experience that will appeal to adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. The combination of ascent, rappelling and breathtaking scenery creates an unparalleled memory. As it happens in the mountains you can see many beautiful peaks from the valley, many ridges, gullies and crests high up on the mountain. I spot plenty of new objectives every time I sit on my patio. Like the Blaser northeast gully, a chute that we were possibly the first to ski a few years ago.

Other steep ravines and faces are located right beside it, and I often cannot get out of my reverie. Unfortunately, the lack of snow, high temperatures and other factors often made such daring climbs and subsequent lines rarely possible. However, the northern chute of Ahornspitze is a classic that I have always dreamed of skiing. Usually you have to rappel, but in snowy winters a direct descent from the summit cross with a drop over a 15- to 30-feet cliff right at the beginning should be possible. Last February we filmed some of the season's coolest lines in Hochfügen. The conditions were quite good despite the general lack of snow. After the shoot, around 2 pm, we drove to Mayrhofen and decided to ski the Ahornrinne at sunset.

Unfortunately, a buddy of mine who wanted to rappel into the gully as well had bailed, so I had to carry both 200-feet half ropes in my backpack. But I felt strong and confident. Most of all, I was happy to switch from my 4.5 inches powder planks to the slightly lighter 4.2 inches ones. However, it turned out that even these got heavy over time. And the 3,300 vertical feet from the morning's shoot also started to leave their mark on my body. I was all alone because my film crew stayed at the base of the gully. The climb to the summit via the west ridge proved to be tedious. Too steep for skinning and actually too deep for trudging, but I dug my way up the last 600 vertical feet and reached the top completely exhausted.

I still had to traverse the exposed ridge from the south to the north summit without being able to rope up. Slipping on a snow-covered rock slab, I lost my footing. Somehow, I avoided plummeting into the abyss, got back on my feet and reached the summit. The first thing I had to do was lie down and take a deep breath. It didn't take long, and my crew radioed that the sun would disappear in ten minutes. I had to force myself up and get ready for rappelling. Soon after I found myself 160 feet below amidst the steep north gully. Twenty inches of powder made me forget the exhaustion and my near plunge from the summit. I skied the 1,300 vertical feet down the gully in wide, pleasurable turns. The conditions were perfect.

Further down in the forest snow became scarce, and I had to traverse out and climb back to the lift station. This short climb of 150 feet took the last of my energy resources. However, I can only recommend this ski tour, but the conditions must be perfect. In addition, the appropriate know-how and endurance are required and, ideally, a local mountain guide, of which we have many in the region. Enjoy, and stay safe!