The Reisalpe (1,399 m) is the highest mountain in the
Gutenstein Alps and lies between
Lilienfeld,
Hohenberg and
Kleinzell in Lower Austria. It is a popular destination, both for hikers in summer and also for
ski mountaineering
Ski mountaineering (abbreviated to skimo) is a skiing discipline that involves climbing mountains either on skis or carrying them, depending on the steepness of the ascent, and then descending on skis. There are two major categories of equipmen ...
and
snowshoe
Snowshoes are specialized outdoor gear for walking over snow. Their large footprint spreads the user's weight out and allows them to travel largely on top of rather than through snow. Adjustable bindings attach them to appropriate winter footwe ...
walks in winter, and is classed as relatively safe from avalanches.
Near the summit stands a Madonna, recently joined by a
summit cross, as well as the Reisalpe refuge hut (''Schutzhaus'') opened on 9 October 1898. A small
Austrian Armed Forces
The Austrian Armed Forces (german: Bundesheer, lit=Federal Army) are the combined military forces of the Republic of Austria.
The military consists of 22,050 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists. The military budget is 0.74% of nati ...
hut is also located in the vicinity of the summit.
Schutzhaus
In October 1898, the Reisalpe Schutzhaus was opened. It had taken three years to build, and seven hundred people attended the elaborate opening ceremony.
[' 'Through Innocent Eyes,' Cynthia A. Sandor p. 121-122] The Reisalpe poem was read out loud:
"Great calm and deep peace is only with you,
when you are on this land.
What is the magic of the forest? Of the trees?
Of the birds and the bees?
Of God's great commands?
The trunk of the great Black Pine still lives,
when it bleeds.
You are in the Alps so high,
are you not dreaming of the Reis'alpine?
Seek friendship with the ones you meet.
Learn to speak so they understand.
Anyone who brings the good towards you,
will be your friend on this mountain grassland."
References
Literature
Sandor, Cynthia A. (2012). ''Through Innocent Eyes'',.
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Gutenstein Alps
Mountains of Lower Austria
Mountains of the Alps
One-thousanders of Austria