Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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46.78260°N / 8.57060°E |
Route Type:
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snow |
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Time Required:
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One to two days |
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Difficulty:
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for good skiers |
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Approach
Like in summer, Krönten can be reached both from the Krönten hut and the Leutschach hut.
1. Krönten hut (1903 m). Reach Bodenberg from Erstfeld either by foot, ski or taxi. From Bodenberg climb south on the steep slope of Gwasmet. Do not enter the forest before you reach the upper (!!) path at 1293 m to traverse to Ellbogen. Continue to Grosser Stein 1727 m, then turn right to Pauggenegg 1984 m. In fog or darkness, some skiers lose the orientation here. Most errants climb too high (left). From Pauggenegg ski down to the Krönten hut (1903 m). 2 - 3 hours from Bodenberg.
2. Leutschach hut (2208 m). Take the cable car from Intschi (train, bus, car) to Arni as described in the main section. Same route as in summer. Years ago, when I passed the Furt (1763 m) on a warm March evening, a noisy avalanche slid down from Jakobiger 20 minutes later and covered all ski tracks. The avalanche was triggered by the sun shining all day long on the south slope.
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Route Description
The ski descent to Erstfeld is much more interesting than to Arni. On Easter it is usually possible to ski below Bodenberg to ca. 800 m. Ascent from Leutschach and descent to Erstfeld is usually a good choice. The Erstfeld route seems to me safer than the Leutschach route. There are no warm south slopes that can be sources of avalanches.
Descent to Leutschach means climbing the Sasspass from west. Instead of doing this you can continue the ski descent down the Gorneren valley. Some parts of it are rather flat and the snow usually ends a long way before the town of Gurtnellen is reached. Only recommended with lots of hard snow.
Instead of skiing down the Leutschachtal, you can traverse from the Sasspass (2669 m) to the nearby Wichelpass (2558 m) and ski down the Schindlachtal to Gurtnellen. The route passes the alp ath 1984 m, Staldi (1468 m), cross to the south side of the creek and ski on the (hopefully) snow clad meadows down to Gurtnellen.
1. From Kronten hut cross the frozen Obersee, then climb the Grau (name of the beautiful ski slope) usually on the northern side near pt. 1965 m. Via pt. 2161 and 2570 reach the flatter part of the Glatt Firn. Then keep left and head to the Kröntenlücke (2832 m) where you join the route from the Leutschach hut. At ca. 2960 the west ridge starts and the skiing ends. Walk over the narrow ridge to the crown (= Krone, Krönte). 4 hours from the hut.
2. Ski slightly down to the valley that leads to the Sasspass (2669 m). Ski down to ca. 2460 m. Walk up to Kröntenlücke (2832 m ) and meet the route from the Krönten hut.
Ca. 4 hours.
When I first did this ski route and reached the Sasspass and looked down to the Gorneren valley, we thought the icy slope is too steep for a ski route and believed we hit the wrong saddle. So we skied down where we came from and climbed a saddle more to the right near the Südturm. But this saddle was even worse, no snow, just a wall! We had to ski down and climbed the Sasspass a second time and finally dared the descent.
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Essential Gear
Usually only well equipped alpine ski-ing gear. There might be an unusual situations where you might need ropes, axes and crampons. Avalanche detection gear is a must.
Miscellaneous Info
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