Watzmannkar Skitour

After some snow falls, the weather forecast predicted a warm Sunday with temperatures of 20 degrees in Munich. So Arno and I decided to meet at 6.30 am and drove to Berchtesgaden. For the first 300 altimeters there was no snow so we needed to carry our skis. 

But then the kleine Watzmann (2307 m) on the left and the real Watzmann (2713 m) on the right became visible and there was more and more snow. The ski tour aims for the gap in-between the two mountains.

After the big path a steep ascent through a larch forest which was turned into a Buckelpiste (moguls) by many ski tourers.

Here, Arno skins for the top of the larch forest under the big west wall of the Watzmannfrau or Kleiner Watzmann...

... and here another photo because it is that impressive.

After the forest, we entered the treeless upper kar with Berchtesgaden in the glen.

Here a view of the upper kar with one of the Watzmannkinder (children) in front and the Watzmann Ostwand on the right. A bit further on, the Ostwand turns into the biggest „Wand“ of the Eastern Alps.

Here is Arno skinning under the West face of the kleiner Watzmann. 

... and here the Ostwand above the Watzmannkar. 

Another photo of the upper kar. The bigger peak is the fourth Watzmann child and the two peaks to the left are the second and the third Watzmann child. 

Finally, we reached the end of the road at 2200 m of altitude. A few steps further mean a quick descent of one mile in altitude down to the Königssee...

... seen in this photo to the right. No surprise we kept the distance from the cornice.

To the West was the giant, more than 2000 m tall Ostwand of the Watzmann. It is not too steep so if it is all perfect Neve then a winter ascent is possible. 

Finally skins off and down the hill. Here is Arno...

... and here is one of the many good Bavarian skiers...

... and here is Arno again. 

The snow was not too heavy despite the intense, Alpine sun so the skiing was not too difficult. Here is Arno entering the area of the larches again.

Wow, what a day. The Watzmannkar is one of the top ten mountain outings.