On this Silvretta ski tour we were joined by "Team Vermont" (Deb, Mary Ann, Bob and Winslow) as well as some "Repeat Attenders" (as you can see from their list of accomplishments below) Mo, Marc, Chris and Paul.

Sadly, Kathy couldn't join us as she was nursing a broken rib. But her excellent stand-in, Rocio Siemens, was a great and very welcome guidely addition.

The weather for our 6-day outing proved to be quite a mix of cloud and sun, but with only a minimal amount of new snow. Several days were characterized by wandering in the mists, GPS in hand. Others offered sun-softened spring snow on sunward slopes, and cold powder on north-facing aspects. Thankfully for the entire week, avalanche hazard was generally low and climbing conditions were good. And, as usual, the huts were a welcoming refuge.

Other Trips with Marc Gallie

Other Trips with Chris Robinson

Other Trips with Mo Moceri

Other trips with Paul Farrelle

We began our tour in Ischgl, riding a number of lifts to attain the summit of Piz Val Gronda, at the southern extremity of the ski area. From there, it is generally downhill to our first hut, the Heidelberger.

From left to right we have: Mo Moceri, Paul Farrelle, Winslow Ladue, Chris Robinson, Deb Olsen, Bob Olsen, Marc Gallie, Rocio Siemens, and Mary-Ann Ladue.

Arriving at the hut at lunch time, a few of us fun hogs made an afternoon tour up nearby Ils Chalchogns, a nice little summit some 530 meter above the hut.

Lovely late afternoon light as we arrive on the summit.

Marc arrives on the summit. We had a good view of tomorrows route, which traverses a pass just right of Marc's right-had ski pole. The Heidelberger hut lies in valley bottom down to the right.

The following morning brought cloud and wind, with a trace of new snow. Is that a toothpick, Paul, or a nasty splinter?

Working our way up to the Kronenjoch.

After some GPS work we arrive at the joch and our descent to the Jamtal hut.

The hut comes into view.

The gals of the trip, Mo, Rocio, Deb and Mary Ann.

Paul celebrates a birthday.

Another foggy day, we wend our way up to the Hintere Jamspitze.

The ski depot at the Hintere Jamspitze.

Mo times her next turn. The ski down was actually pretty fun, at least once the snow was a bit tracked to aid visibility.

Winslow, Paul and Bob, back in the Jamtal hut.

Day 3 was another somewhat murky affair. Preparing to set off from the Jamtal hut.

We encounter another group at the pass just north of the Dreiländerspitze.

Rocio getting a bit frosted in the mists.

And finally, the Wiesbadener hut.

In the late afternoon, the skies clear. Everyone comes out to soak up the sun.

The next day, our fifth, we split into two groups. Rocio with Mo, Paul, Mary Ann, Deb, Bob and Winslow, headed up for several great powder laps in the north facing bowls of the Vermunt Glacier. Mark, Chris and Marc, set off to climb Piz Buin. These and the next few photos, are of the Piz Buin climb.

Above, arriving at the ski depot in the Fuorcla Buin.

Though chilly in the northerly wind, the route was in good condition. Marc and Chris on the traverse into the last steep section.

The summit cross.

On easy ground near the summit.

Things get a bit steeper lower down.

Once back on skis, we eventually descended below the cloud and even had a few sunny breaks.

Skiing down the Ochsentaler Glacier.

The steep traverse below the icefall.

And one last fun little descent on spring transformed snow before a short skin back up to the hut.

Marc, Chris and Mark arrive back at the hut just in time to see Rocio's group heading up for yet another run to the top of the Vermunt Glacier.

Paul enjoys some good snow on the run back to the hut.

Easy cruising back to the Wiesbadener hut.

The next morning dawned perfectly clear. We start our climb straight out of the hut, heading for the Bieltal.

Firm snow on the steep slope above the hut, suggest the use of boot crampons.

Arriving in the sun.

A lovely skin up to about 2800 meters, gave us access to the great slopes of the Bieltalfirner.

Admiring our handiwork from lower in the Bieltal. A great descent.

But we still have a long way to go down the Kleinvermunt valley. The snow is getting a bit thin.

And finally it runs out all together. But it is only about a 20 minute walk to Wirl and the ski bus.

A bit to eat and drink in Wirl in the warm spring sun.

Thank you to all for a great week!