Hexenkopf

The Hexenkopf is a mountain, , in the Samnaun Group in the Alps in the Austrian state of Tyrol.

Location and surrounding area

The Hexenkopf lies on the northern chain of the Samnaun Group between the valleys of Paznauntal in the north and Oberinntal in the south. Its neighbouring peak to the west is the 2,914 m high ''Gmaierkopf''; to the south, separated by the Hexen Saddle, is the 2,828 m high Masnerkopf. To the southeast is the ''Masneralpe'', which has been developed for winter sports by the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski region. The Hexensee Hut (2,588 m) on the lake of ''Hexensee'' is one of the most important bases for an ascent of the Hexenkopfs. In the east the 2,685 m high ''Masnerjoch'' col separates the Hexenkopf from the 2,845 m high ''Arrezkopf''; this chain runs eastwards to the 3,004 m high Furgler. To the north another ridge to the ''Plattkopf'' (2,893 m) separates the alpine meadows of ''Hinterflathalpe'' in the west from ''Berglialpe'' in the east.

Geology

The Hexenkopf is largely composed of mica-rich slate gneiss, which is interspersed with veins of pegmatite and other granitic rocks. In addition, there are small deposits of strong, hornblende-containing amphibolite.

Ascents

Unlike the nearby and oft-visited Furgler, the Hexenkopf is very rarely climbed. That is because, on the one hand it is further from the top station of the ''Lazidbahn'' from the tourist resort of Serfaus and, on the other, it is more difficult to climb.

From the Masnerjoch col there is a waymarked route running initially westwards, and then along the norther arête of the Hexenkopf to the top. This exposed rocky ridge has climbing sections of UIAA grade I. The Masnerjoch may be reached from the Hexensee Hut, from the Kölner Haus (1,965 m) near Serfaus or from the north, from See in the Paznauntal valley. Even the Ascher Hut (2,256 m) here is a possible base.

Another waymarked, but trackless, ascent runs from the Hexensattel along the south arête to the summit.

References

Literature

* {{citation, surname1=Paul Werner, surname2=Ludwig Thoma, editor-surname1=Deutscher Alpenverein, editor-surname2=Österreichischer Alpenverein, editor-surname3= Alpenverein Südtirol, title=Alpenvereinsführer Samnaungruppe , edition=2., publisher=Rother, location=München, pages=157–161, isbn=3-7633-1241-2, date= 1982, language=German

Alpine three-thousanders
Mountains of the Alps
Mountains of Tyrol (state)
Samnaun Alps