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Even for the approach crampons are needed
Even for the approach crampons are needed
Benni starts into the thin first pitch
Benni starts into the thin first pitch
First meters of Feingold
First meters of Feingold
Steep!
Steep!
Topo - Feingold
Topo - Feingold
Air! - at the free hanging dagger in pitch 2
Air! - at the free hanging dagger in pitch 2
Smooth and gentle is the name of the game
Smooth and gentle is the name of the game
Benni hiding, last pitch
Benni hiding, last pitch
Game on - yeah!
Game on - yeah!
14.12.10

Ice line at Ötztal

Feingold 120m, WI 6+/M

Below the crux
Below the crux

Someone should not break with traditions. Like past two seasons Benny Purner and me started the ice winter by doing supposably a first ascent. Already two weeks ago, on the way to a family meeting in Ötztal, I saw a line I have never seen before near Nösslach. For such anomalies in the number of usually existing ice lines in an area I have a good feeling and they are stored in my head prompt. But due to some working days I could try to balance this anomaly not before today. We headed to Ötztal with a bit of insecurity about the conditions, because last week the Föhn-wind was very strong and we did not know if the ice line could resist. But we have been positively surprised when we arrived. The golden shining ice line was still there. It was game on for the first ice climbing adventure of the season. And it really was an adventure: 3 pitches - impressive, spectacular and clean. Thats how a season start should be!

Note 16.12.: Extensive investigation within the core of the ice climbing scene in Ötztal has resulted in the information that the very rear forming line has already been climbed several years ago. At that time the free hanging dagger was formed as a pillar and the route has been named "Das Gelbe vom Ei". Since that season the line was never in conditions again. Therefore "Feingold" is somehow the mixed variant for seasons with less ice..

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