Characteristics:

High-alpine tour featuring brief encounters with glaciers and a recently created fixed-rope route along the Detmolder ridge

Requirements:

Experience in walking with crampons, basic knowledge of crevasse rescue techniques and orientation; sure-footedness for the climbing stretches, fixed-rope training.

Footpath type:

Marked footpath, and a well established fixed-rope route

Exposure:

Exposed on the ridge

Equipment:

Rucksack, alpine boots with ankle support and a good-grip rubber sole, woollen or skiing socks, anorak with a hood (Goretex), waterproofs, cap, gloves, sun glasses (with high-quality UV protection), sun cream, lip protection, spare clothing, water bottle. Safety equipment will be provided by the mountain guide (fixed-rope route kit, crampons, harness, rope, etc.).

Map:

Alpine Association map no. 44, "Ankogelgruppe"

Huts:

Giessener Hut (2,202m), German Alpine Association, Giessen Section

History:

Paul Grohmann made the first successful ascent of the Hochalmspitze Peak on 15.08.1859. He was an Austrian alpinist and a co-founder of the Austrian Alpine Association. He is also credited with numerous firsts in the Dolomites, the Karnisch Alps and the Zillertal Alps. In terms of numbers of first ascents in the Alps, Paul Grohmann will probably never be beaten by any other mountaineer. The Hochalmspitze was the first of many to come.

Description of the tour:

How to get there:

Travel to Malta
Continue to Koschach, and then Gössgraben, until you get to the car park, just below Gösskar Reservoir (about 1,650 m).

Starting place:

Gösskar Reservoir car park

Directions:

Following the marked footpath head for the Giessener Hut (2,202m). Then take the first stretch of the Rudolfsstädter path as far as the turn-off for Winkelscharte. Then, continue in a slight curve, along the Detmolder Ridge fixed rope route and finally up to the summit which is already in sight.

Descent:

By the way of Steinernes Mandl and the Rudolfstädter path