There was already some snow. After some research my partner for the tour and I decided to try Meletzki ridge instead of the winter normal route from Kals, which was recommended to us by local guides.
We drove on Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse, parked at the large Hofmannshuette, and descended 250 m to the Pasterze. We traversed the longest glacier of the Eastern Alps and followed the marked route of Hofmannsweg (signs on the glacier and red-white-red on rock). The marks lead to a small kettle, open on one side. There was a waymark drawn vertically on the left entrance of the kettle. It looked like: start climbing here. The rock was brittle on inspection, not bolted and coudn't be belayed, neither does Hofmannsweg contain any UIAA III climbing.
My partner had the idea to bypass the kettle on the right (the normal way cuts the right rim of the kettle I think).
We came to a lightly slabby area with snow. Soon we saw the further waymarks. We reached the Frühstücksplatz of Hofmannsweg later, where the Meletzki ridge starts (roughly at 47.07428700, 12.71689500).
Belaying possibilities are installed poles or horns. There are a few bolts. The ridge is not difficult (up to UIAA II). With snow it seemed a little more difficult naturally. There are some waymarks.
Like seen on webcam photos before, there wasn't too much snow on the ridge. Marks were not always visible, so we tried a few own shortcuts. Often we guided the rope sidewise of the poles.
We had planned to exit the ridge before dawn, even if it'd take us longer. It took us longer because of wayfinding at the kettle, snow, relative late departure and I'm not the fastest guy anyway. So all time-margins were used up.
We did the last climbing during dawn. The last exposed crux had two bolts and was a little ticklish. I didn't find good foot hold. Simply resting the left elbow eased the situation. Now we used headlights. One last climbing draw and the rest to Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte was walking terrain.
The snow surface was again nice and crispy now after dawn. Crevasses were not perceptible or not there.
We crashed in the four-bed-shakedown with 8 persons.
The next morning after coffee, cake and cigarettes we started to Glocknerleitl. There was a good track, snow conditions at the Leitl ideal.
After exit from the Glocknerleitl are some steeper slabs with snow. Because of exposition we belayed at the poles from there on most of the time.
The Glockner peak site was a little unexpected to me. Beautiful. The way from Kleinglockner to Grossglockner was not so far as imagined. Impressive with exposition top of Stüdl ridge (next image, where some were climbing) and top of Pallavicini Couloir.
We enjoyed.
On our way back, there were practically no waiting times. Perfect timing for us. As Großglockner has 5000 climbs per year.
At the Leitl I got lowered 40 m which saved me nerves. Backwards it was easily descendable anyway as the track was a stairway.
Glocknerleitl:
Erzherzog-Johann-Huette (Adlersruh), highest alpine hut of Austria:
Last part of this nice tour was descend over glacier Hofmannskees on Hofmannsweg and last part variational down to the right directly. On one occasion there was compact ice with a little snow on top. Steep and exposed enough for ous to belay one rope lenght with three ice screws.
Then came rocky areas with 30 cm of soft snow. Foot's ligaments where happy about leaving that area unharmed.
Finally we strolled the 300 m back up to Hofmannshütte.
I am happy to have had my austrian touring partner Mario with me on that one.
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