Ascent Similaun Hütte - Similaun

The winter ascent route is obvious already at the hut – it leads as far as possible from the rocky ridge. The most dangerous part is (in the picture in the shade) in places with the biggest number of cracks, on the glacier. It is important to stick here to paths well-trodden by ski alpinists. The steepest is then a final steep slope and sharp ridge at the end.

If you come closer to Similaun, you can clearly see that the slope just before the peak is really the steepest and people going in snowshoes have here quite problems.

If you ascent only a few tens of meters, you can already see the whole Niederjoch Pass (3 016 m asl) and hut Similaun if you look back. Horizon is dominated by another high mountain on the main ridge – Finailspitze (3 514 m asl). Now we still have almost 600 vertical meters to the summit.
 

The first relax and photogenic place is above the first icefall. Nameless spot (3 251 m asl), which looks from Similaun hut like a nice pyramid dividing the glacier into two parts, looks from here just like a small ridge. On the right towers also the top of Marzellkamm.

Looking back and down, the trodden path from ski alpinists looks like as rolled by a snow cat. If you set off early, you will not fall in the frozen snow even if you have only hiking boots on – but trekking poles are, however, a minimum requirement. The massif of opposite Finailspitze is becoming more monumental.

The way is quite quick in these places and you can pretty clearly see the cross on the top. There is still one terrain wave of glacier, steep slope, the final ridge and you are at the top.

If there is an inversion, it is advisable to get over it and enjoy the sunshine. Today it was necessary to get over three thousand meters above sea level. On the horizon you can see the second highest mountain in Austria – Wildspitze.

Under the steep slope begins the most difficult part of the ascent. In addition, you need to really be careful, ideally put on crampons.

During the zigzag ascent in steep hillside you can look from the edge of the ridge into the depth below you. Hut Similaun is still visible.

Steep hillside ends in a flat place, where you can relax for a while before the last ascent.

If you look back, you can see either the flat place above the steep slope used for relaxation or the way along the final ridge.

After about three hours you finally ascent to the top, where you will be rewarded by great views.
 

From the top you can see the entire valley Niedertal as at your fingertips.

The view to the east direction is of extensive upland ice plain leading to even higher mountain Hintere Schwarze (3 624 m asl). A significantly less frequent alpine ski trail disturbing otherwise virgin-looking area leads to it as well.

View to Italy and of the dam Vernagt stausee is better just below the summit.

The way back is the same, or alternatively via Marzellkamm.