Sonnschienalm

The starting point of our snowshoe tour is the Jassing parking lot. We start with hiking trail 836, which leads us downhill for a short distance at first, but then immediately turn onto the "Russenstraße", a wide forest road, which also serves as an access road to the Sonnschien refuge. Since the refuge is basically open also in winter, we can hike comfortably on the mostly continuous skidoo track. The road leads us along below the stable wall to the avalanche path, which can be passed without difficulty if it is prepared by the hut keeper. We reach the Sonnschientörl, 1374 m, and continue to our destination, the Sonnschienhütte, 1523 m.  At this level, the winter marking by means of snow poles serves as an orientation aid. The descent generally leads us back via the ascent route - in good visibility we can shorten the way to Sonnschientörl via the Sandriedl ski route.

When choosing a snowshoe tour, weather, snow and avalanche situation are essential criteria. Basically, the decision of the tour depends on your own experience and basic physical condition. In advance, factors such as weather, avalanche situation report and equipment must be clarified in detail. A clear description of how to prepare for a snowshoe hike can be found in the Rother Snowshoe Guide Styria from page 14 to 20. Even if you have prepared perfectly, you must also take into account the given weather and snow conditions and the physical condition of the day during the hike itself. Thus, there is one important basic rule: please turn around if the hike becomes too strenuous or if the external conditions require it.

Walking times: The indicated walking time is to be understood as a guideline, as it depends on the snow conditions, the terrain and the presence of a trail. The individual condition and the stamina for strenuous trail work also play an important role. Sometimes the duration of the tour can change considerably due to large amounts of new snow, broken slush, soft sulzing snow, etc.

Alpine emergency call:

Mountain rescue emergency number: 140

EU emergency number: 112

Avalanche info:

www.lawine-steiermark.at

Weather service:

www.zamg.ac.at

Direct link mountain weather Styria:

https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/wetter/produkte-und-services/bergwetter/steiermark

Apart from the most necessary equipment, such as snowshoes, poles, etc., we recommend that you bring orientation aids (bus pole, map, GPS), avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. We have taken this checklist from the Rother Snowshoe Guide Styria and summarized it for you, so that it will be helpful for your next snowshoe hike.

• Snowshoes
• Telescopic poles with snow plate
• Waterproof mountain boots or lined winter mountain boots
• Backpack: If the snowshoes have to be carried, a backpack with a lid buckle is necessary.
• Gloves: waterproof and warming
• Headgear
• Gaiters: If there are no closable leg cuffs on the pants.
• Pants: Ski pants are rather not recommended, because they are often too warm, but we need waterproof and warming pants.
• Warming outerwear: Onion layering system, t-shirt, sweater, jacket and winter jacket with hood.
• Sunglasses: Very important, as snow reflects up to 95% of the light.
• Creams: Protective measures for the skin are important against both the sun and the cold.
• Headlamp: In winter it gets dark early, especially in the forest it can often be very dark when dusk begins.
• Thermos: On cooler days a warming drink is pleasant.
• Snack 
• First aid kit

Other important items of equipment:

• Cell phone
• Tour description
• Map: For overview a map in scale 1:50.000 of the respective region and a detailed plan of the hike
• GPS
• deviceavalanche transceiver (LVS), shovel and probe

This list and also the safety instructions have been summarized by the authors of the Rother Snowshoe Guide Styria. You are welcome to use these texts, but we kindly ask you to mention the copyright "Rother Schneeschuhführer Steiermark".

The given walking time is to be understood as a guideline, as it depends on the snow conditions, the terrain and the presence of a track. The individual condition and stamina during strenuous trail work also play an important role. Sometimes the duration of the tour can change considerably due to large amounts of new snow, broken slush, soft sulzing snow, etc.

General information about public transport in the region: www.verbundlinie.at

Stop for refreshments and overnight stays:

Seehof Wenninger, Tel.: +43 699 1149 1720, 8612 Tragöß, Oberort 45, www.seehof-gruenersee.com

Hoamat Coffee, Tel.: +43 676 9466 562, 8612 Tragöß-Oberort 45

Gasthof zur Post, Tel.: +43 3868 8203, 8612 Tragöß-Oberort 10

Refreshment stops along the way:

Sonnschienhütte, Tel.: +43 664 5112 474, 8612 St. Kathrein an der Laming, Schattenberg 105, www.sonnschienhuette.at

Jassinghütte, Tel.: +43 3868 20065, 8612 Tragöß, Schattenberg 128

WK 041 Hochschwab - Veitschalpe - Eisenerz - Bruck an der Mur, Wanderkarte 1:50.000

Sarcletti S., Zienitzer E., (2. Auflage 2018): Schneeschuhführer Steiermark – Vom Dachstein bis zum Steirischen Weinland. Bergverlag Rother GmbH, München, S. 176. Für weitere Infos hier klicken.

Tour 35 im Rother Schneeschuhführer Steiermark

Schneeweiß C., (2012): Schneeschuhgehen – Praxiswissen vom Profi zu Ausrüstung, Technik und Sicherheit. Bruckmann Verlag GmbH, München, S.192