Route description:

Wonderful challenging ski tour that starts from “Fischleintal” in the “Sextner Dolomiten” to the “Hochbrunnerschneid” – “Menschenfresserrinne” – “Sentinelascharte” and back. 1900 Meters in ascent and 45°.

I had this tour in my mind for 5 years. When I saw a photo of a skier in a beautiful steep couloir in breathtaking surroundings in the middle of the Dolomites, I knew immediately: I had to go there. However, a big hype was made around the so-called “Menschenfresserrinne”. In the description it was advertised as an insider tip and it should not be revealed where this couloir is located. After some searching I knew that I would find this couloir at the Hochbrunnerschneid in the “Sextner Dolomites”.

However, it took some time before the conditions were ideal. After we had already found some other couloirs in the best conditions the days before, I knew: now or never. We parked our car at the “Dolomitenhof” in the “Fischleintal” and walked comfortably along the trail to the “Talschlusshütte”.

Here was then quickly over with comfortably walking: Over tons of avalanche cones we searched for a way through “ Bacherntal”. The snow was hard frozen but nicely gripped. To the left of “Hohe Leist” we climbed through a narrow ravine. Sometimes so close that we had to step out of our skies for some meters.

Probably it would be better to climb to the left of the trench along a large slope to get into the so-called “Inneres Loch”. An impressive kettle surrounded by massive Dolomite walls. Right in front of us: the summit of “Hochbrunnerschneid”. In our back beautifully snowed the “Zwölferkofel” and behind it the “Drei Zinnen” in their profile from the side. A hint of Patagonia spread, as the snow stuck to the steep rock walls and hung on top like snow mushrooms on the numerous towers. Before heading steeply towards the summit at the end of the kettle, we already saw to the left of it the slice that we had to target in order to get into the “Menschenfresserrinne”.

When we arrived at the ridge, we found ourselves on a giant corner. After a short strengthening, we went to work and dug ourselves out into the couloir through the vents. Here we went down a few meters on foot until we were able to fasten the skis half-pleasantly. At its top, the couloir became really narrow for a short time and shortly after very wide again. The steepness is constant over the whole couloir, ideal that we still had a lot of fun in these super snow conditions. A total of 600 Meters of vertical distance has the couloir to offer, always around 40-45° steep.

At the end of the “Menschenfresserrinne” we found ourselves again in a boiler surrounded by rugged rock walls, the “Vallon Popera”. Our view went to the left, where we saw the “Sentinelascharte”. Our next target we had to make. Skins up again on the skis and again about 500 meters of altitude to climb through the finest powder snow.

Once we arrived at the “Sentinellascharte” we were looking forward to 1200 Meters of vertical descent. We weren’t really set for good snow conditions, but our expectations were exceeded. At first again steeply from the top of the ridge it went about 200 meters through a narrow valley, until the terrain opens up and you find yourself in the beautiful and enjoyable ski slopes of the “Anderten Alpen Kar” that leads back to “Talschlusshütte”.

Under the right conditions an absolute dream tour that has everything to offer that makes the heart of an ambitious ski touring enthusiast beat. And absolutely worth the 5 years to wait for this day and first this season to drive such a great line in the best conditions.