Finally, this morning, it started snowing gently. Sean and Dave, the leaders of our snowshoe trip, advised us to pack our snowshoes, as well as our spikes, as we headed up the Frader Alm Valley. The plan was to learn how to use our avalanche transceivers (although the risk was low today), practise avalanche rescues, and hopefully use our snowshoes where the snow was deeper.
The route was the reverse of the one John and I followed on our own yesterday. We set off up through the forest, using our spikes, although the path didn’t seem as icy and slippery as yesterday.
Once we’d done the harder part of the climb and the path levelled out a bit, we stopped at some huts to change into our snowshoes. The snow wasn’t deep, but there was enough for us to get used to walking in them.
We continued up the valley to Frader Alm, where we had a break for some lunch. The snow had stopped now and the sun peeped out from behind the clouds, lighting up the snow covered meadows and trees like a Christmas card scene.
Next, just in case we are in an avalanche, Dave and Sean showed their respective groups how to find a body (rucksack and transceiver) hidden in the snow… an important skill for travelling in the mountains in winter, but one we hope we never have to use!
Once we were all happy we knew what to do, we headed further uphill into the forest, warming up again and shedding the extra layers we’d put on while we’d stopped.
All too soon, it was time to head back to Almi’s, following the path beside the river back downhill. It was a very enjoyable day… as well as having refreshed some skills, we had good company, beautiful scenery and lots of fresh air and exercise. What’s not to like?
Ramblings 
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