SKI LOCAL WITH SIMON AND GELI

TOUR ON THE DRUSENTURM

1,200 vertical meters lie ahead of Simon and Geli. And 20cm of fresh snow. Having started out in Latschau in the Rätikon, the pair’s goal is to climb the 2830-meter Drusenturm.

But a persistent layer of fog and dense low-level cloud on the slopes obscure their view of the steep couloirs and their chosen descent. Before reaching the summit pyramid, the pair decide to wait it out anyway. Motivated by the prospect of a spectacular descent in perfect powder, Simon and Geli are sure the weather will clear eventually. They look for shelter and squeeze into a bivy bag. Three hours later, the sun finally breaks through the clouds and they quickly set off again, filled with eager anticipation for the last few vertical meters of ascent. The descent that follows is simply spectacular: Fresh powder and not a soul in sight.

patience and enjoyment

Gerade in den aktuellen Zeiten, wo das Bewusstsein für die Sensibilität unserer Natur wächst, sollten auch wir Sportler uns hinterfragen. Natürlich gibt es Traum-Spots, aber Simon sitzt lieber bei einem Kaffee mit Freunden beisammen als ständig im Auto oder Flieger auf der Suche nach dem besten Schnee. Der kommt schon.

Today, as awareness of the fragility of our natural world increases, we as athletes must also look critically at what we do. Of course, paradise can be found elsewhere. But Simon would rather sit and have coffee with friends than constantly travel by car or plane in search of perfect snow. That will come, sooner or later.

TOUR FACTS

• TYPE: Ski tour
• DURATION: 6:30 h
• VERTICAL METERS: 1,830 m
• LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: difficult