Characteristics:

High-alpine tour featuring brief encounters with glaciers and some easy stretches of climbing, mostly secured with cable ropes.

Requirements:

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

Footpath type:

Marked footpath, with some stretches across rock falls.

Exposure:

Exposed on the summit 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 (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). bis Koschach und von dort in den Gössgraben bis zum Parkplatz unter dem Gösskarspeicher (ca. 1650 m).

Starting place:

Gösskar Reservoir car park

Directions:

Take the marked footpath to the Giessener Hut (2,202m); then along the Rudolfsstädter path in the direction of the Steinernes Mandl. Before you get to the fixed-rope route for the Steinernes Mandl you cross a steep icy slope. Then from the top proceed across the glacier for a short stretch, towards the west, as far as the signs for the footpath up to the ridge. Follow it to the summit.

Descent:

Use the same route as for the ascent.