- Brief description
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A worthwhile tour, even if steep ridge course, but a fantastic departure.
- Difficulty
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medium
- Rating
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- Route
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Vernagthütte0.0 kmSchwarzwandspitze (3,467 m)4.7 kmVernagthütte10.8 km
- Best season
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AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul
- Description
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The ascent over the northeastern ridge shows climbing places in the 2nd alpine difficulty, and the ridge course falls steeply over several hundred meters into the Kaunertal, but compensates for a fantastically beautiful descent over ideal, mostly slightly inclined ski areas.
- Directions
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In the tour area of the Vernagthütte 2755m, the summit of the Schwarzwandspitze 3466m is rather rare because the climb over the northeast ridge has not only climbing points in the II.-alpine difficulty level, but also because the ridge course falls northwards to steeply over several hundred meters into the Kaunertal. As inconspicuous and easy to climb the Blackwandspitze 3466m may also look from the south, the mountain looks as powerful and unapproachable from the north. But even if you do not want to tackle the last meters to the summit, it is in any case worthwhile to consider this tour. Because there is still a fantastic downhill run over ideal, mostly only slightly inclined ski area. This should not be omitted in any case, especially since the Vernagtferner also has hardly any crevices in this area and thus can be easily walked on and also in snow conditions.
- Highest point
- 3,404 m
- Endpoint
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Vernagthütte
- Height profile
- Equipment
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Recommended Ski Mountaineering Equipment
The „standard ski mountaineering equipment“ is: touring skis with touring bindings, telescopic poles, climbing skins, ski crampons, digital avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, firstaid kit and mobile phone. A „complete glacier equipment set“ contains: sit harness, two prusik loops of different lengths and ascenders, two HMS biners, icepick, climbing irons and rope. Pack your rucksack carefully and don‘t forget extra clothes for the descent, sun protection/cream, cold protection, enough food and drink. If you stay overnight at a mountain hut take toiletry articles and a hut sleeping bag with you!
LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY
- Safety instructions
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Avalanche Hazard Scale
1 (LOW)
Triggering is generally possible but only from high additional load in isolated areas of extremely steep terrain. Only small-sized sluffs and natural avalanches are expected. Snow layers are generally stable.2 (MODERATE)
Avalanches may be triggered in case of truly heavy loads, especially on a few explicitly indicated, steep slopes. Large spontaneous avalanches are not expected. In general, the snowpack is well bonded except on some very steep slopes. Choose your route carefully, avoid the indicated slopes and exposed sections.3 (CONSIDERABLE)
Triggering is very probable even from low additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. On some steeper slopes, medium or even fairly large spontaneous avalanches may occur. On most steepslopes the snow layer is only moderately or weakly stable. Expertavalanche knowledge is required. You must avoid the indicated steepslopes and highly exposed sections.4 (HIGH)
Avalanches are likely to be triggered on many of the indicated steepslopes even if only light loads are applied. In some places, numerous medium-sized and also large-sized natural avalanches are expected.The snowpack is poorly bonded on most steep slopes. Choose your route according to these criteria, select only moderately steep terrain by avoiding the avalanche runout zones. Very expert avalanche knowledge is required.5 (EXTREMELY HIGH)
Numerous huge or very large-sized natural avalanches are expected also in moderately steep terrain. Safe skiing is not possible anymore, not even in the marked ski area. The snowpack is poorly bonded and largely unstable. Don‘t go ski mountaineering at all! - Additional information
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Ski Mountaineering Rules
Ötztal Tourismus doesn‘t take any responsibility for the suggested tours. It is strongly recommended to enlist a certified local mountainguide. Glacier crossings are allowed only in a group by using a rope.
Before you set out on a tour you should inform someone down in the valley about the tour‘s destination and when you plan to be back. Anavalanche transceiver is an absolute must for Alpine ski mountaineering tours.
More details about ski mountaineering tours in Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/skitouren
- Arrival
- Public transportation
- Parking
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In front of the village and at the valley station from the chair lift (payable)
- Author
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The tour Schwarzwandspitze is used by outdooractive.com provided.