View of the Hohe Tauern
Großvenediger, located in the Hohe Tauern, has a height of 3,666 meters. nm the fourth highest mountain in Austria. Its top is covered by a glacier and it is a very interesting hill for those who want to try moving in cats and on a rope. Hohe Tauren, as the real name for the Hohe Tauern is, is also a beautiful part of the Alps full of beautiful valleys, glaciers and the steep walls of the surrounding hills.
Helicopter as an alarm clock
In a four-member line-up, we left South Bohemia at about eleven o'clock in the evening. Between four and five o'clock in the morning we drove through the town of Neukirchen am Großvenediger and turned onto a forest path leading along the river to the parking lot where we left our car. We stood next to our car and made up for the sleep deficit. Around ten o'clock we were woken up by a landing helicopter. We had breakfast and went to the Kürsingerhütte.
Alpine valley
After an initial steep climb through a dusty road, we came to the Gamseck waterfall. Not far from it is a wooden pub, where you can gain strength for the next trip thanks to beer. However, the very view of the valley that came to us was enough driving force to continue the journey.
Cottage Obersulzbachhütte
We had a late lunch from our stock at the Obersulzbachhütte and rested for a while. Only a humming river and a whistling marmot hidden among the rocks could be heard in the surroundings. The cottage was closed, but one room was accessible. It serves as a temporary shelter in bad weather.
Salzach glacier river
The path slowly began to deviate from the river and on our feet was waiting to climb a rocky path.
Goat trails
The last ascent to the Kürsingerhütte hut was waiting for us. The path led through small paths that were protected by ropes. We crossed a small waterfall and continued higher and higher. Although it was the beginning of the summer holidays, we met only a small number of tourists.
Kürsingerhütte (2558m)
After about six hours of leisurely walking and 1500m ascent, our destination for the day appeared in front of us. Mountain hut to which we slept and the next day early in the morning we set out to meet Grossvenediger.
Großvenediger
Morning view of Austria's fourth highest mountain directly from the Kürsingerhütte. The weather was nice and we had no choice but to leave.
Boarding the glacier
After about three-quarters of an hour's walk from the cottage, we put on cats, tie ourselves on a rope and continue along the glacier.
We're climbing
We had to climb about 1100m on the glacier before we reached the top. After the frozen snow, it was nice to go. The slope was getting steeper and steeper, so it was necessary to rest more.
Under the top
The photo shows the ridge just before the top. There was quite a bit of snow on it, so its transition was not as adrenaline-like as can be described in other articles. The density of people here reached an unpleasant amount, but the moment we spent upstairs could be withstood.
Hohe Tauren
View from the top of the longest and largest mountain system in the Austrian part of the Eastern Alps.
A moment of glory
After a short wait for the people in front of us to take pictures, we were also released to the very top of the cross.
View of Venediger on the way down
The return trip across the glacier was more of a punishment. The sun was gaining strength and we were constantly sinking into the wet snow. All that was left was to bite and stagger for an hour and a half with a staggering step.
Glacial slide
During the trip from the glacier to the cottage.
Views of the valley
On the way back to the parking lot
Relief at the parking lot
In total, we climbed 2600m in two days and descended the same height difference. The next day it was 1100m up the glacier, then down and another 1500m descent to the parking lot. The legs got a good shot and so it was necessary to soften them with icy mountain water. Thanks to the wonderful weather, this trip can be assessed as very successful.
Articles nearby
Giga List: Alpine ascents to peaks higher than 3,500 m
The vast majority of peaks in the Alps higher than 3,500 m above sea level are already among the most difficult ones with the… continue reading
Giga List: The most beautiful mountain ascents in Austria
Austria offers countless amazing mountain ascents, you will also find thousands and thousands of mountains here. Let's take a… continue reading
Giga List: Beautiful mountain climbs in the High Taures
The High Tauern is proud of Austria's highest mountain – the Grossglockner, and it is one of the main goals of climbers in this… continue reading