Читать книгу Alpine Ski Mountaineering Vol 2 - Central and Eastern Alps - Bill O'Connor - Страница 9

FOREWORD

As ski mountaineers, we need to be thankful that the great tectonic plates of Africa and Europe collided. When they did, the European Alps were formed to create a snaking barrier of mountains that at first glance seems to be piled against northern Italy in an arc resembling a monstrous moraine. The mountains created from this collision extend for over 1000km from the Hochschwab in Eastern Austria to the Colle d'Altare in the Gulf of Genoa. This monumental pile-up was the answer to a mountaineer's prayer – the Alps it created provide the perfect playground for ski touring for at least five months of every year.

Within their length, the European Alps contain the finest selection of ski tours in the world. They are easy of access, have the most comprehensive and convenient hut system to be found anywhere, and, thankfully, there are few restrictions on those of us who seek adventure and enjoyment in them.

The selection of routes in this guide includes tours in the most important ski-mountaineering areas north and east of the Rhône from Lake Geneva to its glacier source on the Furka pass. The routes extend eastwards to include the major glaciated mountain groups from the Bernese Alps through central Switzerland to Bernina and beyond. They embrace the important Eastern Alpine regions of Ortler, Silvretta, Ötztal and the Stubai Alps. I admit that there are important areas I've bypassed and others beyond my limits that are worthy of a guidebook, including the Dolomites, Zillertal, Hohe Tauern and so many others. But this selection is based on my experience and the limits of available space. After all is said and done, I know of few ski mountaineers willing to burden themselves with too heavy a guidebook.

In making my selection, I've aimed to provide routes that would appeal to novice and experienced ski mountaineers alike, although it should be obvious from the gradings and description that a few are better suited to experienced tourers looking for a more difficult and demanding challenge. Those planning their first tour could do no better than look to the Silvretta or Ötztal for stimulation.

Arnold Lunn wisely wrote that ‘Guidebooks merely describe the skeleton, leaving the memory to clothe it with romance.’ I would add to that and say that I hope these tours provide you with the information, inspiration and motivation to explore new areas, pour over maps, study routes and plan a new season, so that later your experiences can put flesh on the bare bones of this guidebook.

Bill O'Connor

International Mountain and Ski Guide

Cumbria

Putting in a fresh track to the Mittaghorn above the Hollandia Hut – this peak offers one of the finest descents in the Bernese Alps