The Ellmauer Halt (2,344 m) is the highest peak in the mountain massif of the ''Wilder Kaiser'' in the Kaiser range (

Northern Limestone Alps The Northern Limestone Alps (german: Nördliche Kalkalpen), also called the Northern Calcareous Alps, are the ranges of the Eastern Alps north of the Central Eastern Alps located in Austria and the adjacent Bavarian lands of southeastern Germa ...

) in the

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

n state of

Tyrol Tyrol (; historically the Tyrole; de-AT, Tirol ; it, Tirolo) is a historical region in the Alps - in Northern Italy and western Austria. The area was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Emp ...

. To the east is the summit of the ''Kapuzenturm'', a striking and isolated

rock pinnacle A pinnacle, tower, spire, needle or natural tower (german: Felsnadel, ''Felsturm'' or ''Felszinne'') in geology is an individual column of rock, isolated from other rocks or groups of rocks, in the shape of a vertical shaft or spire. Examples ar ...

. In 1883 the first summit cross was erected on the mountain top. The

base camp Mountaineering or alpinism, is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending tall mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas. Indoor climbing, sport climbing, an ...

for climbing tours on this mountain is the Grutten Hut mountain hut on its southern flank, at a height of 1,620 m. There is also the unoccupied, tiny ''Babenstuber Hut'', immediately below the summit. This shelter and emergency refuge has stood on the Ellmauer Halt since 1891, but is not weatherproof. In any case the peak should only be climbed in good weather with dry conditions by experienced climbers with secure footwear, no fear of heights and climbing agility. Due to the popularity of the Ellmauer Halt there is a high risk of falling rocks, especially on the normal path, the ''Gamsängersteig''. A helmet and even a

Klettersteig A via ferrata (Italian for "iron path", plural ''vie ferrate'' or in English ''via ferratas'') is a protected climbing route found in the Alps and certain other locations. The term "via ferrata" is used in most countries and languages except n ...

set are therefore recommended.

Routes

Two well-known

s (climbing paths) lead to the summit: * The ''Gamsängersteig'' from the Grutten Hut is the normal route and is of medium difficulty. It is generally well secured, but is used on good summer's days by countless climbers, so there is a high risk of falling rocks. It takes 2.5 hours to climb. * The ''Kaiserschützensteig'' is a demanding alternative to the normal route. It is much longer, harder and technically more difficult than the ''Gamsängersteig''. In addition, in starting from the

Kaisertal The Kaisertal (formerly ''Sparchental'') is a striking mountain valley between the mountain chains of the Zahmer and Wilder Kaiser in Austria's Kaisergebirge range in the Tyrol (state), Tyrol. In the ravine (''Sparchenklamm'') on the valley floo ...

, a substantial approach march and greater height difference have to be overcome. The starting points are the

Anton Karg Haus The Anton Karg Haus, formerly the Neue Hinterbärenbad Hut, is an Alpine club hut belonging to the Kufstein Section of the Austrian Alpine Club in the Kaisergebirge mountains in the Austrian state of Tyrol. The hut is named after the co-founde ...

Hans Berger Haus The Hans Berger Haus is a refuge hut belonging to the Kufstein section of the Austrian Friends of Nature, located in the Kaisergebirge mountains in Tyrol. The tenants run a well-known climbing school here. Location The hut is located at a height ...

. The ''Kaiserschützensteig'' is very scenic and crosses all three summits of the massif: the Kleine Halt, the ''Gamshalt'' and the ''Ellmauer Halt'' and offers some impressive views. Climbing time: 4 hours. Also: * ''Rote-Rinn-Scharte'' (Rote Rinn wind gap) which is the marked climb running from the ''Hans-Berger-Haus'' via the ''Scharlinger Boden'' up to the ''Rote-Rinn-Scharte''. This saddle is also used by the ''Gamsängersteig'', enabling the ''Grutten Hut'' to be reached. This route acts as a link between the ''Kaisertal'' in the north and the ''Grutten Hut'' in the south. * The so-called ''Kopftörlgrat'' is the eastern

arête An arête ( ) is a narrow ridge of rock which separates two valleys. It is typically formed when two glaciers erode parallel U-shaped valleys. Arêtes can also form when two glacial cirques erode headwards towards one another, although frequ ...

of the Ellmauer Halt over which a very popular climbing route runs (UIAA grade III-IV).

References

External links

Description of the ''Gamsängersteig'' and ''Kaiserschützensteig''

''Gamsänger Klettersteig'', Ellmauer Halt

"Wilder Kaiser, Austria" on Peakbagger
{{Ultras of Europe Mountains of the Alps Mountains of Tyrol (state) Kufstein Kaiser Mountains

Routes

See also

References

External links