Bruderkogel, the often stormy brother at the origin of the Pölstal valley

The car is parked in the parking lot, which is already visible from the B114 main road. Driving is prohibited from here. Now follow the forest road, which initially leads slightly downhill. Sometimes it is better to carry your skis here. Passing a few houses on the left-hand side, take the left-hand road at the fork, which leads over the bridge. It is advisable to put your skis on now if the forest road is not open. After about 600 m on the forest road, follow the summer path, which points SW (left). After crossing the small stream, follow it further along the left bank in the direction of the ascent until you reach a forest road again at about 1440m. Follow this in the direction of Lackneralm (hut). Leave the hut on the right and follow the forest path that begins south of the hut and after about 150 m, with a distinctive right-hand bend, leads fairly flat in a westerly direction south of the Lackneralm stream. At around 1600 m, you climb a few meters in altitude over a clearing, not very steeply in a southerly direction and soon afterwards ascend again in a westerly direction and thus to the wide cirque (also known as Lackneralm). In this area, the gullies and hollows that you have to cross up to the cirque are very difficult to negotiate.Be aware of the risk of avalanches. Once you reach the Lackneralm cirque, head into the cirque on flat terrain up to around 1900 m and then find a good ascent track on the slopes to the left (heading SW). There are many small ridges and hollows here, which you should make good use of on the ascent. Due to the frequent strong winds, there are often drift snow deposits on these slopes of the Bruderkogel. Ascent and descent routes should be chosen carefully. Once you reach the western ridge of the Bruderkogel, the route leads eastwards to the summit of the 2299 m high Bruderkogel. Descent as ascent.

Equipment for Ski Touring

• Touring skis with skins, bindings, and compatible ski touring boots
• Crampons (ski crampons) for icy sections
• Adjustable ski poles with winter baskets
• Backpack with ski attachment system
• Layering system: functional underwear, mid-layer, insulating jacket, wind- & waterproof shell
• Touring pants, gaiters if needed
• Helmet (recommended for descents and rocky terrain)
• Gloves (spare pair recommended), hat, headband, buff
• Ski goggles, sunglasses, and sun protection
• Water bottle or thermos, high-energy snacks
• First aid kit, bivy sack, personal medication
• Headlamp, mobile phone with emergency numbers, map or GPS

Essential safety gear in alpine terrain:
For ski touring, an avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel are mandatory. Equally important are proper training in their use and up-to-date information on weather and avalanche conditions

For ski touring, up-to-date weather and avalanche information is vital:

• Mountain weather Styria (including Murtal): wetter.ORF – Bergwetter Steiermark
• Avalanche bulletin Austria: lawine.at
• Emergency numbers: Mountain Rescue 140 | EU Emergency Number 112

A rest in the magnificent cirque is recommended.

If the slopes of the Bruderkogel are blown off, you can choose the Schüttnerkogel as your tour destination.

Unfortunately, this tour cannot be reached by public transport.

• Recommendation: Travel by car or organize a carpool.

Guided tours, avalanche seminars and ski technique courses for ski tourers:

Gundula Tackner

Alpine school on the Tauern

www.alpinschuleamtauern.at 

ÖK 130, Trieben Schitouren Obersteiermark, 50 traumhafte Touren, Paul und Peter Sodamin