Höllentalferner

Höllentalferner

Looking down at the small Höllentalferner glacier which has to be crossed when ascending the Höllental route to Zugspitze (16/Jul/2010).
Lukas Kunze
on Nov 6, 2010 3:21 am
Image ID: 676902

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RayMondo

RayMondo - Mar 5, 2011 4:11 pm - Voted 10/10

Very informative

A place that, some years ago, I could not reach in Winter. My route required crossing the frozen river below, where an unstable ice tunnel blocked my attempt.

Though I succeded to climb Katzenkopf in Winter, where I had immense difficulty to make it through very deep snow at the upper level. In the Spring, I climbed Kramerspitz, revealing the magnificent view of both Alpspitze and Zugspitze. And then climbed much of the peaks in the Zillerthal, including Seeburgspitze and Barenkopf, both very tough in the condtions and solo.

In all, a wonderful period where I worked on assignment as an Engineer and every weekend spent climbing. Tolle tage.

Lukas Kunze

Lukas Kunze - Mar 6, 2011 6:00 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Very informative

Hmmm, interresting! I didn't know that the Hoellental route is tried in winter. But I think the via ferrata up to the summit is pretty difficult in winter... Have you tried to get rhough Hoellentalklamm or did you try the bypass trail on the steep slopes of Waxenstein (which must be scary in winter...)?
Sounds like you had a great time!
Cheers Lukas

RayMondo

RayMondo - Mar 7, 2011 4:24 pm - Voted 10/10

My attempted route...

I began in the village of Hammersbach. Along ?angensteig, crossing an iron bridge in the Hoellentalklamm. I then had to cross back over the river, which in the snowfall had the dangerous ice canopy. This was partly collapsed with water gushing through.

Typical of the sometimes overadventurous English (though some might say - mad) I often ventured into troublesome areas relying more on my climbing ability (albeit modest) than greater planning.

It was the thought of a night in the Hoellentalanger Haus (Hellhouse!) and the prospect of better weather the following morning that gave me some hope of making the route - albeit that I had no crampons - just my axe. Although I have always climbed without them, having confidence to cut and step my way in treacherous conditions. Yes, a slight madness indeed. Yet I have survived thus far!

Or perhaps the allure was my mistaken translation of the many local places describing...langer, which I mistook as signs for Lager beer! Though I can recommend the beer and food at the Haus on the Reitsteig trail en-route to Katzenkopf / Kramerspitze. It is where I arrived on my winter decent of Katzenkopf, looking and feeling totally exhausted and completely covered in snow, that caused some alarm in the restaurant. Indeed, I looked like a Yeti. Hahaha!

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