On the Corpus Christi weekend we were able to hold our first alpine tour course at the Kürsingerhütte with the motivated participants. The meeting point for everyone was at our shop and after the equipment was handed out we took a taxi from Hopffeldboden in the direction of the Obersulzbachtal cable car to the Kürsingerhütte. After a short rain and hailstorm we climbed up to the hut in sunshine along the normal route. We had to cross a few snow fields on the way due to the heavy snowfall in April and May. When we arrived at the hut we immediately planned the next few days and everyone was able to move into their sleeping place.
2nd day of the course: We climbed towards Keeskogel first thing in the morning and found our practice area at around 3,000 metres below the summit. The existing cornice provided us with perfect crevasse rescue conditions and so we were able to gain our first experience with T-anchors and rope pulleys. The anchors held and so we were able to rescue all participants from the "crevasse". On the way down, an intensive shoe test was carried out because some of us sank into the snow up to our knees. No problem, because the hut has new shoe dryers and so the shoes were always perfectly dried. In the evening, the group was able to listen to a free lecture from a colleague and so it was clear that we must not go beyond the point of no return.
3rd day Großvenediger: On Saturday we set off early in the morning at 4:30 a.m. armed with snowshoes along the panoramic path towards the glacier. Here we were able to enjoy the sunrise and were alone. The glacier, covered in lots and lots of snow, was great for walking and so we made quick progress. A little wind and clouds came up above the gap and so it was difficult to estimate how strenuous the route was (which was also a positive for some). At the summit we had very good weather windows and so we were able to enjoy the panoramic view of the Großvenediger. On the way down a few participants fell into a crevasse and so we were able to practice the team pull perfectly. Congratulations to the participants for overcoming it. We were back at the hut at around 2:30 p.m. and we were all looking tired, so we took a short break and practiced a little for the next day. The evening was pretty short because the participants headed straight for their mattresses.
4th day of the course: There are a few climbing gardens around the hut, so we went to our practice area early in the morning. Abseiling - passive and active - and a few tests of the knots later, we all agreed = today is the perfect day for the exercises due to the weather. Then we practiced self-rescue intensively and thus the course content and knowledge was passed on to the participants. We went through everything again to reinforce it and everyone was perfectly prepared for the upcoming mountaineering season. After a short break at the hut, we went back down to the material cable car and everyone got back to the car without any accidents.
We wish all participants a good and accident-free touring season and we would be happy to see you again on one mountain or another.
the tauern sports TEAM
