-
2811 Hits
-
74.92% Score
-
5 Votes
Page Type:
|
Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
46.93851°N / 11.50166°E |
Route Type:
|
Hiking, Scrambling |
Season:
|
Spring, Summer, Fall |
|
Time Required:
|
Half a day |
|
Difficulty:
|
Hike and Scramble |
|
Overview
 Riedspitze as seen from the Ridge traverse |
The ridge traverse, which starts at the southernmost mountain of the Tux main ridge, Saun / Monte Sommo (2085m), is by far the most impressive of the routes to Weißspitze. It follows the ridge wherever it is possible but since the quality of the rock is so poor it often has to make detours by as much as 200m. On this ridge you climb two further summits, Riedspitze / Cima Novale (2480m) and Bairnockspitze / Punta del Dosso (2623m). Both are but minor bumps on the ridge and you will find it tough to tell when you reached their tops.
The topmost part of the route strictly follows the ridge until it meets the Weißspitze summit block. This part of the route is exposed with sharp drops on the eastern side of the ridge. Finally to climb the summit block you have to scramble up a chimney until you reach the west ridge right below the summit cross.
|
Getting There
Looking across the Pfitsch Valley from RiedspitzeFollow the Getting There information on the main page. Though the route to Saun starts at Braunhof, its low elevation (a mere 1345m) makes the climb to Weißspitze a major undertaking. Rather start from Brandner Alm (1818m), from where a slope traversing path leads up to Saun. You can decide on the Weißspitze summit which descent route to take - the way you came up or the Riedbergalm route, which is more direct.
Route Description
The Ridge between Weißspitze and Saun as seen from the summit- Start altitude: 1818m (Brandner Alm) / 1345m (Braunhof)
- Summit altitude: 2714m
- Prevailing exposure: E
- Type: 3 h / 5h over marked paths
- Protection: None
From Braunhof
Follow the road up for several meters, then turn on a path which leads up directly to Saun, crossing dense forests.
From Brandner Alm
Right behind the Alm buildings there is a path which heads up the mountain to the right (east). It crosses a forests, then turns southward. At about 2000m of elevation you come across the remains of a cabin, the path gets narrower and you have to fight your way through the undergrowth. Once outside the bushes the remainder of the trail to Saun is evident.
Ridge Traverse
From Saun the further ascent route always stays on the western side of the ridge. Once you have an opportunity to see the other side you''ll know why: the whole mountain is a piece of rubble and on the eastern side of the ridge it has frequently broken off with shere drops into PPfitsch Valley underneath.
The first summit, Ridspitze is passed on its western side as well. Right afterwards the trail joins the ridge and follows it to Bairnockspitze. From there it leads across some minor and slightly overhanging summits towards the summit block of Weißspitze. There you need to climb a steep step in the south face, which leads up to the west ridge, where it joins the normal western route from Riedbergalm. A few steps take you to the summit cross, a few further (exposed) steps take you to the real summit itself.
