Giraf (Vorder Aelpetili Tal)

Start on Top of Gemsstock and head in the direction of Russirun and follow then the yellow poles for the itinerary for about 80 metres. Turn right on ridge and keep high, crossing under an avalanche mining pole. On the next ridge keep right again and ski high. (You also may follow the first part as for "Hans im Glück" and at Gurschenstock you turn left instead right. It is steep. You follow mor or less the ridge. After a 200 m you will find a niceand wide slope going NE, follow it. At the point 600.250/162.850 (Swisstopo Map) you find your first couloir, which is close to 40 degrees. Pay attention, with north winds (Bise) there often is an impressive and dangerous cornice. For the rest you cannot miss the trail, just follow the valley. The second couloir may be a bit steeper in parts but is so narrow that with all the skiers going through, it becomes a mogel slope in a few days. You reach the "Unteralptal" in its middle where you have to cross the river, then you ski back at Andermatt. Another variant to reach Giraf is: From the Top of Gemsstock head in the direction of "Russi run" for 150 metres. There is a flat part on your right made by piste machines. Cross it and continue crossing the steep slope with rocks above and a cliff below. When you get on top of the ridge, follow it until it climbs up to Gurschenstock. Attention: keep low on the east part of the ridge because it is a corniche that can break! At Gurschenstock you go east and cross the next ridge north-east to south-west 50 metres lower and ski initially eastwards then turn left, heading north, and cross the next ridge (Aelpetli Grat). From there you are in the valley for Giraf, which you can't miss.