Читать книгу Alpine Ski Mountaineering Vol 2 - Central and Eastern Alps. Ski tours in Austria, Switzerland and Italy онлайн

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Perfect powder snow conditions near the Jenatsch Hut

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.