Ski tour · Winter

Franz-Senn-Hütte 2147 m, Stubaier Alpen Tour sheet

Obere Kräulscharte via the Sommerwandferner 3150 m

Duration
4 h
Distance
5 km
Ascent
1020 mDescent 20 m
Highest point
3150 mfrom 2150 m
Difficulty
Ski ZSSAC ski touring scale (Schneemessstange – Obere Kräulscharte)
Start / finish
Franz-Senn-HütteFinish: Obere Kräulscharte

Route points: Franz-Senn-Hütte 0,0 km, 2150 m – Abzweigung Gschwezgrat 1,4 km, 2400 m – Schneemessstange 3,1 km, 2680 m – Obere Kräulscharte 5,2 km, 3150 m

Map: Obere Kräulscharte via the Sommerwandferner 3150 m
Map · Track length 5.2 km Base map: basemap.at
2250 m2500 m2750 m3000 m1 km2 km3 km4 km5 km5,2 kmFranz-Senn-HütteAbzweigung GschwezgratSchneemessstangeObere Kräulscharte
Elevation profile 2143 m – 3154 m

The Obere Kräulscharte is the quieter and slightly higher sister of the much-frequented Kräulscharte. It offers a glacier-dominated alpine day without climbing, with views from the eastern Seespitze across Schrankogel, Wildgratspitzen and Hinterbergl over to the Lüsener side, and back across the glacier basin towards the Oberbergtal.

Route description

  1. Franz-Senn-Hütte → Abzweigung Gschwezgrat

    0,0–1,4 km · 1,4 km · ↑ 260 m ↓ 10 m · Winter · WS (SAC ski touring scale)

    From the hut, first follow the valley floor on level ground, then climb a short steep step and continue over easier ground southwards below the Gschwezgrat at about 2400 m.

  2. Abzweigung Gschwezgrat → Schneemessstange

    1,4–3,1 km · 1,7 km · ↑ 290 m ↓ 10 m · Winter · WS (SAC ski touring scale)

    The path continues southwest, fairly level, into Stiergschwez. It then climbs briefly to the right to the upper Sommerwandsee (2500 m) and heads southwest again over a gentle ridge below the long Sommerwände. Cross knolls and hollows to reach the silted-up glacial lake. A conspicuous snow stake stands in this area.

  3. Schneemessstange → Obere Kräulscharte

    3,1–5,2 km · 2,1 km · ↑ 480 m ↓ 0 m · Winter · ZS (SAC ski touring scale)

    From the snow stake, head south over level ground towards the glacier lobe on the left (facing uphill). A well-laid track climbs at a uniformly steep angle to 3000 m, directly below the Obere Kräulscharte. From here the terrain becomes increasingly steep and the track climbs in switchbacks to the col.