Blog Post

Optimism despite bad weather

  • von Lukas Wörle
  • •
  • 07 Apr., 2023

The Schuchtkogel is a 3471 m high mountain in the Ötztal Alps. The team of w8less has dared an ascent and was allowed to enjoy a lonely day with unexpected sunshine and powder despite bad weather forecast.  

w8less expedition, w8less consulting, Lukas Wörle, Vincent Wörle, Schuchtkogel
Summit photo at Schuchtkogel at 3471m
A friend I had met on the last expedition in Pakistan had come from Colorado to Tyrol to see the Alps. He probably caught the worst winter in the past 20 years for this venture. From no snow to harsh, we had the opportunity to show him everything that wasn't fun.

The day that looked the least like reasonable conditions, but then should be the highlight of the week. 

We get up, and I hear the big raindrops dripping on my attic apartment. The next thing I can perceive is my ringing phone. We had arranged a ski tour on the Pitztal Glacier, and my friend, who wants to pick us up in half an hour, tries to convince me that it would be better if we stayed at home. I remain stubborn and insist on the statement of a weather report that there will be an improvement at the main ridge of the Alps from 10 o'clock.  

w8less expedition, w8less consulting, Lukas Wörle, Schuchtkogel
The first rays of sunlight flash through the gray cloud cover
No sooner said than done, off we go. In Imst we have a coffee before we set off in the pouring rain in the direction of the glacier ski area. Once there, we take the cable car up to 2800 m and then descend again in the direction of Mittelbergferner. And who would have thought, not even arriving at Mittelbergferner, the sun briefly flashes through the clouds. Maybe the weather forecast can keep its word, and we get to see a patch or two of blue sky.  

Suddenly the mood of the whole team rises!

We want to climb the Schuchtkogel, actually, a popular ski-touring mountain, but on this day no one is out. It is very windy and the clouds move across the sky at high speed. More and more often the sun comes through and we can enjoy every minute. Leisurely we lay a trail in the fresh snow, then just before the summit there is another short drinking break. The easy block climbing is no problem for all of us, and finally, we stand at the summit! As if the weather wants to reward us for our perseverance, all the clouds briefly move up and we spend a few minutes at the highest point and enjoy the great view.  

The descent should then become our highlight. We pull the first turns in the fresh snow of the last days! This winter a rare experience and probably the best descent of the season so far!  

Looking back, the question can be asked whether we were lucky or whether we were rewarded for the hard "work". Perhaps a mixture of both, but it remains to be said that this beautiful experience was only allowed to come about because we threw ourselves into the unknown and always made the best of the current situation.  

Even in the working world, you have to tread rocky paths from time to time without knowing whether you will reach the "summit" at the end.

The joy that then arises is of course all the greater. In addition, we were allowed to spend the whole day alone on a popular mountain. No other team had faith in good conditions and sun. Experiences of success like this give us the courage to face these situations again and again in the future, in order to tread paths that others may not dare to. 

Rescue operation on Broad Peak

von Lukas Wörle • 23. August 2023
For a while now, I've nurtured a personal dream: to conquer an 8000-meter peak without relying on supplemental oxygen and then descend using a paraglider.

Rettungsaktion auf dem Broad Peak

von Lukas Wörle • 23. August 2023
Seit einiger Zeit hege ich einen persönlichen Traum: Einen 8000er zu besteigen, ohne auf Sauerstoff und Höhenträger zurückgreifen zu müssen, und anschließend mit einem Gleitschirm wieder hinabzugleiten.

Optimismus trotz schlechter Wetterlage 

von Lukas Wörle • 7. April 2023
Der Schuchtkogel ist ein 3471 m hoher Berg in den Ötztaler Alpen. Das Team von w8less hat eine Besteigung gewagt und durfte trotz schlechter Wettervorhersage einen einsamen Tag mit unerwarteten Sonnenstrahlen und Powder genießen.

Team Performance on the Wildspitze

von Vincent Wörle • 16. Januar 2023
w8less Expeditions has dared the climb and had to face extreme weather conditions paired with personal challenges.

Team Performance auf der Wildspitze

von Lukas Wörle • 10. Januar 2023
w8less Expeditions hat die Besteigung gewagt, und musste sich extremen Wetterbedingungen aber auch persönlichen Herausforderungen stellen.
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