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Backcountry Skiing
· Rax-Schneeberg Group
Blechmauern gully: The steepest ski descent on the Rax…
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The Blechmauern gully seen from the lower WaxriegelPhoto: Wolfgang Drexler, Alpenverein Gebirgsverein
Anyone wanting to ski down the Blechmauern gully needs above all one thing: a lot of patience!
This extraordinary undertaking is by far not possible every year. In spring 2013 it was possible once, and again in January 2017.
So, one will have to sneak up for a long time and study the conditions on site very carefully to find the right time for oneself, because even in times of the internet, you will hardly find anyone who recently skied down there.
The ascent through the gully alone is an extraordinary experience – a real high mountain adventure on the doorstep of a big city! The rock landscape is so impressive that one will not regret trying even if the ascent shows that skiing down is currently not recommendable. In such a case, the Langermann is not far away and invites you for a descent. You can then return to the starting point via Waxriegelhaus.
It goes without saying that only very experienced steep couloir skiers should dare this undertaking. Besides experience and technique, the mental aspect must also be perfect: Falling on a descent through the Blechmauern gully is simply forbidden! Only those who are not stressed by this aspect are “ready for the line”...
Author’s recommendation
You get a good insight into the Blechmauern gully when ascending from the Griesleitengraben along the forest road to Waxriegelhaus. Here you can devote yourself to a detailed remote study of the conditions in the gully.
From the lower Waxriegel ridge, you then have another perspective and are also closer to the gully.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The Blechmauern gully has a slope of more than 45 degrees almost continuously. Therefore, immediately before a descent, one should always ascend through the gully and check the current snow and ice conditions from bottom to top!Tips and suggestions
Suitable as preparation are the Lahningries, the Northeast gully at Geierkogel, and the Stofferkar gully.Roadbook
From the Griesleitenhof, follow the forest road downstream/uphill and after two large hairpin bends reach a flat section with a marked junction towards the Seehütte via the Holzknechtsteig. However, you stay in the Griesleitengraben and follow the marking towards Waxriegelhaus until the point where the forest road crosses the dry creek bed. Here you leave the driving path and follow the creek bed downstream until it narrows gorge-like and the ascent through the gully begins. Often, at the lowest part, there is a break saddle that must be climbed over. The further course of the ascent depends on the current conditions but essentially follows the fall line until the terrain gradually becomes flatter and you can exit left to the Seehütte.
For the descent, follow the ascent (fall) line…
Public transport
No direct connectionDirections
S6 (Semmering Expressway) to the Gloggnitz exit, B27 to Reichenau an der Rax, at the roundabout towards Edlach and to Prein an der Rax, shortly after the town limits of Prein turn right towards Griesleiten.
From Mürztal on the S6, take the Mürzzuschlag West exit, drive through Mürzzuschlag, and at the roundabout towards Neuberg an der Mürz, in Kapellen turn to Preiner Gscheid and continue towards Prein an der Rax until the turnoff to Griesleiten (left).
Parking
In winter, parking is available for some vehicles at the end of the cleared road at Griesleitenhof. The summer parking lot is usually not cleared.Coordinates
Equipment
Every backpack should contain: rain, cold, sun protection, first aid kit, sufficient liquid, and a hiking map of the region.
Crampons are indispensable for the ascent through the Blechmauern gully and a rockfall helmet should also be worn.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions