recovery just started

Unfortunately in the last FreerideWorldTour event, which took place in Fieberbrunn/ Austria, I had a bad crash and broke my ulna and radius bone. It was the double drop which ended up with a double broken bone ;)
But in addition I also have a small fracture of the pubic bone. Great combination crutches and a hand injury ... bääää





screwed 



Without knowing that I have another injury than on my arm, I still thought to be able to ride carefully, but now it will definitely takes a few weeks. Nevertheless, if everthing heals fast and good, I keep the hope to climb and ride some lines on mountains at higher altitude later on in spring.

In the meantime Mitch created a really nice clip about a project that we did together 2 weeks ago. Praxmarerkarspitze is an epic mountain in the Karwendel range, but pretty difficult to access.

Praxmererkarspitze (2638m)

The first day we had to hike up to a hut and slept in the "winterraum". Even the descent early morning in the dark to the beginning of our route was incredible. Because of the full moon we could see quite well and on the opposite the shadow of our silhouette. It took us two attempts to go up, as the first try ended in a 70°+ ramp which would have been just too much having only one ice axe and cramons. Quickly we checked whether the food is enough to give it another try. So it was and on day 2 we finally we managed to summit and could ride our lines.

VIDEO:

Snowboarding Praxmarerkarspitze from GoPro Fitnesstraining on Vimeo.

These are the days which simplify situations like injuries and will always stay in my head. Thanks Mitch and Bibi for the great time we shared together!

Some more impressioons about the event in Fieberbrunn...

event village

autograph session

BIB draw

on mountain rider meeting



spectators area @ lärchfilzkogel

SALEWA Chronicls

Watch out for the SALEWA Chronicls about the Dolomites, Valle Hermosa, High Tatras, Chamonix and about the Freeride World Tour event in Fieberbrunn last year.

And here is what I like most - hiking on the ridge, getting some exposure and then having a great descent!




SALEWA Team competing at Freeride World Tour Fieberbrunn 2012...

Dolomiti

Fresh snow in the dolomites was a good reason for Alex Hoffmann and me to leave the austrian mountains behind for a few days. The goal was to ride as many "canali stretti" as possible, obviously it has to be challenging and with good snow.

Sella

Considering snow quality and stability we had to decide with which couloir we start. In Italy they have different law and the consequence of releasing an avalanche can be quite serious. Anyway we wanna stay safe, but it`s always important to have all facts and options of what can happen on the mountains in your mind.

looking for the entrance of our couloir

ready to go

Alex in the famous Canale Holzer

impressive views - narrow, steep, rocks everywhere...

some steps to drop in the couloirs

Within 3 days we could manage to ride the following couloirs: Canale Vallencant, Canale Holzer, Canale Larsei, Canale Larsei est, Canale Sass de Forcia, Vallone d`Antermoia, Canale di Creste Bianche and some more smaller "freeride lines" we hiked...

Piz Boè

Christina joined us from the second day...



...and goes for the next one



hmmm...should we trust



an option?

rappeling



epic panoramic freeriding

hike to Canale Vallencant



attention needed

weather already coming in



crampons are not a bad choice in such terrain



a little alternative of "classic" Vallencant



very narrow exit

steep and deep

Time for the whiteroom

And here it is, FULL MOVIE "Time for the whiteroom" online

Hope you like it!


Time for the Whiteroom from Simon Platzer Films on Vimeo.

Thank you Burger, Joi and Simon for all your effort - was so much fun last winter! Happy to enjoy epic days again with my friends - be prepared for the project we are doing this season.

FWT #3 Chamonix/ FRA

Within 30 minutes you can go from Courmayeur to Chamonix by taking the tunnel just through the Mont Blanc massif. The difference between this two places is much bigger than the distance...

The whole set up for the event here in Chamonix in huge and it`s great to be one of the riders who is qualified. It`s always a good atmosphere in the event village at the center of Chamonix where BIB draw and price giving ceremony take place.

face check

my line in Chamonix

Luckily the snowboarders start first again, this means also that we have to wake up very early on contest day: 5:30am breakfast time, 6:30 first gondola, 7:00 start hiking in the dark and finally 9:00 we are supposed to drop in.

Knowing that the snow is good, I decided to go for a line that could be good enough for a podium. I started good, had some fresh turns and went fast and clean till the double drop, which was my last feature in my run. Unfortunately I had a butt check, which was not good at all - 12th place.

always important to scope the line with different angles

"on mountain" riders meeting



upper part of my run






After watching the other riders, I went up to Aiguille du Midi together with Christina, Otto and Laura who came here for the first time. We enjoyed the great panoramic view up there and went down the "Valleè Blanche" - a 2800 vertical metre descent to Chamonix.

on top of Aiguille du Midi

Otto looking for crevasses to drop

FLOW boards in love ;)