Kareck is the last high, rocky peak in the mountain crest extending from the main Tauern peaks towards Katschberg Pass ( 1641 m), where Hohe Tauern end. It is true, that just above the Katschberg Passs there is Tschaneck, 2020 m, but it's gentle slopes, chained up with modern tourist devices can hardly count as a considerable mountain peak.

But Kareck is different. Towards south its slopes are very steep and more than 700 m high, no marked path is coming from that side. Towards north-east it sends a moderate steep ridge, ideal for skiing in winter and for a normal mountain access in summer. And of course the main crest is going from west to east, the eastern ridge also being appropriate for ascent.

With all due respect of summer ascents, Kareck is for me in the first place an excellent tour skiing peak. It has one attribute, not mentioned so far - it' s nort-east slope is in good conditions ideal for skiing. Up to 40 degrees steep, 600 m high, usually covered with powder snow is a constant temptation for every mountain skier, sitting at home and dreaming of endless left-right turns.

Being also close to touristic resorts on the Katschberg Pass the peak of Kareck is in good conditions often ascended, but still there was never a crowd although we reached the peak in good conditions.

Getting There

The highway Villach - Salzburg crosses Alps through two tunnels. Looking from Villach, the first one is Katschberg. Just before the tunnel you go in Rennweg off the highway (or, if arriving from north in St. Michael), then drive by the Katschberg Pass road (opened all the year) to the Pass where you can find good parking places (ski resort).

Routes:

In summer, you can ascend the Kareck peak by the NE ridge (easy, marked, 3-3,5 h) or by the east ridge (exposed in some places, 3 h).

In winter and spring you can reach the Kareck peak most comfortably by the NE ridge, all the way possible with skins on your skis.

Skiing from the summit: If conditions are good (no avalanche danger) and if you are a good skier, the north-east slope is the ideal choice. If conditions are not good, you can of course ski down by the north-east ridge (the route of ascent).

You can see a detailed map on:

http://www.austrianmap.at/.

Red Tape

No limitations. If you wish, in winter or spring you can take a ski lift up to the Tschaneck peak, shortening the approach to 2,5-3 h.

When To Climb

Left aside the summer season (the best months are June to October) Kareck is ideal for tour skiing. For this, the best months are March to May (even in May you can find ideal powder snow in Kareck's north slopes). If conditions are very good, also January and February are worth of consideration. If there is enough snow, you can ski down to Rennweg, which means more than 1200 m of altitude.

Camping

No need for camping, because routes are short. On the Katschberg Pass there are many hotels and nearby huts (Gamskogel Huette, 1850 m, Gasthof Bacher, 1720 m), in Gantal, spreading NE of Kareck, there is a Gasthof Almfried, 1750 m. But for the ascent you will not need a mountain hut.

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