Switchbacks Over Math

Climbing a 9,800-foot peak with students in the middle of winter: ambitious, perhaps even crazy. But that’s exactly what a teacher from Imst in Austria is doing – and in the process, he’s teaching risk awareness, self-confidence and teamwork. Lessons for life, learned on skis. Next to the Riffelsee lift’s mountain station, a soft beeping sound breaks the silence. “Come closer, closer,” says Johannes, until the sound becomes shrill. “Okay, you’re good!” Beacon check ritual at 14°F, 7,500 feet above sea level. Johannes is 14 years old and is testing his classmates’ equipment. They all belong to the 4S class at the Imst Sports Middle School, which specializes in climbing and alpine sports.

Ski touring and high-altitude tours have been part of the curriculum for years. What takes others’ breath away is almost routine for these students: they shoulder skis, put on skins, and off they go. A short run down to Rifflsee in deep, fresh powder. The crunch of snow under their skis mixes with soft calls. The fact that the 4S class isn’t in a classroom today can be attributed to their teacher, Alexander Hell. “It’s terrible when children sit for six hours every day. As soon as the weather is nice, let’s get outside!” The project is made possible by extra sports sessions and a supportive school administration. Hell calls it the “freeride days.” Yesterday, powder in See; today, ski touring in the Pitz valley.

His focus is on raising awareness of the risks in the terrain. The South Tyrolean is also a mountaineering guide and wants to share his passion for the mountains – and raise awareness of both beauty and risk. When asked who wanted to go on a tour, 14 of 20 students signed up – too many for one group. So, two sessions were scheduled. Today, Hell is joined by Thomas “Tom” Eiter, a Pitztal mountain rescuer and experienced ski mountaineer. “I don’t think there is another class in Austria, or even worldwide, that does anything like this – it’s unique.” The goal is ambitious: K2 on the Kaunergrat, 10,673 feet high. Because of its striking shape, it bears the same name as the giant in the Karakorum. First, it’s time to put on the skins. Some, like Johannes and Felix, are already experienced, for others, it’s the first time. Team spirit quickly emerges. Those who are

faster help the others. “I’d stake my life on the team,” says Hell. He has known his students’ strengths for four years and trusts them completely. Before setting off, the teacher checks: “What’s the avalanche danger today?” – “A ‘2’ above tree line.” – “Where are the hazards?” – “Drift snow, north to northwest.” – “Correct.” The class is well prepared. On the way, the terrain is analyzed, snow types are discussed and switchbacks practiced. Lessons you feel in your legs. And the gummy bears are gone faster than unpacked. Education works differently here. The track from the previous day is too steep, so Hell lays a new, easier one. Many small details make a school trip different: motivation, equipment, pace.

Halfway through, there is the “long recess”: backpacks off, panorama enjoyed, breaths caught. “Annika, which peak is that over there?” “Wildspitz!” says the Pitztal native, who commutes over an hour to Imst every day to attend climbing class. A chocolate bar is passed around, laughter grows louder, eyes drift into the distance. The upper stretch leads through vast, almost untouched terrain. The last few feet of elevation are demanding, breaks more frequent, faces red, strides slower. But that’s exactly the point: conquering something, taking responsibility, pushing limits and moving them a bit. “These are lessons you can’t teach inside a classroom,” says Hell. “It’s good for teenagers to be outside, to take responsibility, and to make decisions together.” 77Rider Felix, Johannes, Annika, Alexander Hell, Josef

including Annika, want to climb all the way to the summit cross. In the steep terrain, they can feel the thin air above 10,000 feet; breaths shorten, voices fade, steps grow more deliberate. Finally, Annika falls to her knees in front of the cross, only to get right back up, take a deep breath and smile with pride. Seconds later, the whole group is cheering. A class photo on Kaunergrat’s “K2.” It will certainly last much longer than any mathematical formula.