It was kind of cough, turn, cough, then turn. But I did it. A little tour out of Alpbach, Austria, with Fritz Barthel (inventor of the tech binding) and Franz Kroel (guide, pioneer climber, Ortovox man since 1991). A few photos below, details later about other adjunct adventures.
![Backcountry skiing in Austria. Backcountry skiing in Austria.](http://wildsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_4361-lou-ski.jpg)
I wasn't sure I could make the climb, but the skiing was easy powder, making the down fluid and fun.
![Franz Kroell of Ortovox. Franz Kroel of Ortovox.](http://wildsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_1236-franz.jpg)
Franz Kroel of Ortovox. Ho hum, another Inn Valley kid who grew up on skis -- when he wasn't rock climbing. Franz made this a work trip by running Fritz and I through some beacon drills. I've always thought the super tech Ortovox beacons were fun to use, so playing around with the units was a good adjunct to the day.
![Austrian backcountry skiing and ski touring. Austrian backcountry skiing and ski touring.](http://wildsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_1230-trail-break.jpg)
I graciously allowed the locals to break trail (ha). Thanks boys.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.