Schaufelspitze

Overview

The Schaufelspitze would be a very nice, significant mountain if it was not located in the center of the Stubai ski circus.
The cable cars make this mountain easy to reach, though it is the 18th highest mountain in the Stubai alp region.
It is surrounded by the Schaufel ferner in the north (the so-called Stubai glacier), the Fernauferner in the east and the Gaißkarferner in the south.
Since the cable car goes up to 2870 m (station Eisgrat) and the trail across the glacier is without cravasses (prepared for tourists) it can be reached virtually without significant risk. Nevertheless the steep slopes need more than hiking. Those who find this to demanding can climb the so-called Kleiner Isidor (3183 m) which has been equipped with stairs. But I would not call this really a mountain!

Getting There

The Schaufelspitze is reached
1) from the cable car station Eisgrat or
2) from the Dresdner Hütte or
3) from the Hildesheimer Hütte

via

a) from the Eisjoch (normal route) or
b) from the Schaufelnieder (south east ridge)

1) The station Eisgrat is part of the Stubai summer skiing region.
2) The Dresdner Hütte is reached from the Stubai valley within 2 h. The Eisjoch is reached from there via a marked trail, the last 260 m go across the glacier (without crevasses). From there go to the restaurant and climb the mountain via a visable trail.
3) The Hildesheimer Hütte is reached from the Ötztal within 4 1/2 h. From there take the marked trail and go along the Gaißkarferner (some crevasses) to reach the above mentioned restaurant in the vicinity of the Eisjoch.

a) Route from the Eisjoch - see above
b Route from the Schaufelnieder. The Schaufelnieder is reached from the station Eisgrat within 1 h by going eastward and the climbing the Fernauferner. Alternatively go from the Hildesheimer hut across the Gaißkarferner to the Schaufelnieder.
The Schaufelspitze is reached from the Schaufelnieder via the south east ridge within 1 1/2 h (UIAA II, rotten rocks!)

When To Climb

Summer: June - October
Winter: Ski ascent.

Guides and Maps

The recommended guide is the "Alpenvereinsführer" "Stubaier Alpen" by Walter Klier (Bergverlag Rother, 2002)
ISBN: 3-7633-1271-4 (Description)

A detailed map is available from the Alpenverein (Stubaier Alpen - Hochstubai - 31/1 1: 25000)
This map is available with or without routes for ski mountaineering (Description).

A good map is sold by freytag & berndt (Innsbruck, Stubai - Seelrain, Brenner 1:50000, WK241).
(Description)

Huts in the Vicinity

General Information on huts is given in Jo's Hüttenliste

Dresdner Hütte: 2302 m, Tel.: +(A) 05226 / 8112 (not open in June)

Hildesheimer Hütte: 2899 m, Tel.: +(A) 05254 / 2300 (July - September)

Mountain Conditions

Mountain conditions are available from the huts in the vicinity.

Winter climbing: Propability of avalanges can been found here: Lawinenwarndienst - Österreich

Information of alpine weather is found here: Wetter

Red Tape

No fees, no closures.

Camping

The whole area is a "Naturschutzgebiet " (similar to a national park) which prohibits camping, possibly bivouaking is allowed (at least tolerated). Sleeping is of course possible in the surrounding huts.
Camping is possible in Volderau (some kilometers from Neustift in the Stubaital)and in the Ötztal in Längenfeld (30 km from Vent) (Homepage)
Further camping sites might be in Sölden (15 km from Vent) and Huben (20 km from Vent) in the Ötztal.

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Images

View Schaufelspitze Image Gallery - 6 Images