Hochwanner
Encyclopedia
At 2744 metres the Hochwanner (formerly: Kothbachspitze) is the second highest mountain in Germany after the Zugspitze
(if the somewhat higher Schneefernerkopf
is only considered as a sub-peak of the Zugspitze). In addition the Hochwanner is the highest peak on the main ridge of the Wetterstein
(Wettersteinhauptkamm) running from Gatterl to the Upper Wettersteinspitze (Oberen Wettersteinspitze) above Mittenwald
in an east-west direction. From the Hochwanner massif there is an all-round view of the Rein valley (Reintal), the Leutasch
valley in Austria, the Gais
valley, the Zugspitze, the Mieming Chain, the Jubiläumsgrat
, the Karwendel
mountains and far into the central Alps
.
Despite being the second highest peak in Germany and having a north face which drops about 1500 m (one of the highest rock faces in the whole of the Northern Limestone Alps
) the Hochwanner has remained a relatively unknown mountain. This is due to its relatively inaccessible location, behind the Alpspitze
and hidden by the Höllentalspitze. The more widely known, but lower Watzmann
is often wrongly cited as the second highest mountain in Germany.
The easiest route to the summit is from the south from the Rotmoosalm (3 hours) or from Gatterl. Pathless in places or only recognisable by a faint trail it initially runs up steep grass meadows, later over a short rock climb (grade I on the UIAA scale) and then mainly over steep, laborious scree slopes to the summit. The route is sparingly marked with cairn
s.
The north face is a very long climb.
Hochwanner was first climbed by Hermann von Barth
in 1870.
See also: List of the highest mountains in Germany and Great north faces of the Alps
Zugspitze
The Zugspitze, at 2,962 metres above sea level, is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the border between Germany and Austria runs over its western summit. South of the mountain is...
(if the somewhat higher Schneefernerkopf
Schneefernerkopf
The Schneefernerkopf is a high peak in the Zugspitze massif in the Alps. It lies at the western end of the Wetterstein chain in the Alps on the border between the German state of Bavaria and the Austrian state of Tyrol...
is only considered as a sub-peak of the Zugspitze). In addition the Hochwanner is the highest peak on the main ridge of the Wetterstein
Wetterstein
The Wetterstein, is a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. It is a compact range between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, Seefeld in Tirol and Ehrwald; partially in Bavaria, Germany and partially in Tyrol, Austria...
(Wettersteinhauptkamm) running from Gatterl to the Upper Wettersteinspitze (Oberen Wettersteinspitze) above Mittenwald
Mittenwald
Mittenwald is a German municipality in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria.-Geography:Mittenwald is located approx. 16 kilometers to the south-east of Garmisch-Partenkirchen...
in an east-west direction. From the Hochwanner massif there is an all-round view of the Rein valley (Reintal), the Leutasch
Leutasch
Leutasch is a municipality in the northern part of the district Innsbruck-Land and is located approximately 30 km northwest of Innsbruck. The beautiful valley lies within a 16 km long high-lying valley and possesses 2073 inhabitants and 26 hamlets....
valley in Austria, the Gais
Gais
Gais is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland. The area of Gais is .In 1977 Gais received the Wakker Prize for the development and preservation of its architectural heritage...
valley, the Zugspitze, the Mieming Chain, the Jubiläumsgrat
Jubiläumsgrat
The Jubiläumsgrat or Jubiläumsweg , also nicknamed Jubi in climbing circles, is the name given to the climbing route along the arête between the Zugspitze and the Hochblassen...
, the Karwendel
Karwendel
The Karwendel is the largest range of the Northern Limestone Alps. Four chains stretch from west to east; in addition, there are a number of fringe ranges and an extensive promontory in the north....
mountains and far into the central Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
.
Despite being the second highest peak in Germany and having a north face which drops about 1500 m (one of the highest rock faces in the whole of the Northern Limestone Alps
Northern Limestone Alps
The Northern Limestone Alps are the ranges of the Eastern Alps north of the Central Eastern Alps located in Austria and the adjacent Bavarian lands of southeastern Germany. The distinction from the latter group, where the higher peaks are located, is based on differences in geological composition...
) the Hochwanner has remained a relatively unknown mountain. This is due to its relatively inaccessible location, behind the Alpspitze
Alpspitze
Alpspitze is a mountain of Bavaria, Germany. At its base is the 'AlpspiX Viewing Platform', 2 curved metal walkways reaching out 13 metres over a cliff, crossing over each other, making the shape of on X.-External Links:*...
and hidden by the Höllentalspitze. The more widely known, but lower Watzmann
Watzmann
The Watzmann is the third highest mountain in Germany, and the highest peak standing entirely within Germany. Its three main peaks are Hocheck , Mittelspitze and Südspitze .The Watzmann massive also includes the...
is often wrongly cited as the second highest mountain in Germany.
The easiest route to the summit is from the south from the Rotmoosalm (3 hours) or from Gatterl. Pathless in places or only recognisable by a faint trail it initially runs up steep grass meadows, later over a short rock climb (grade I on the UIAA scale) and then mainly over steep, laborious scree slopes to the summit. The route is sparingly marked with cairn
Cairn
Cairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas...
s.
The north face is a very long climb.
Hochwanner was first climbed by Hermann von Barth
Hermann von Barth
Hermann von Barth was a famous German mountaineer.Hermann von Barth was born on 5 June 1845 at Eurasburg Castle. He initially studied law in Munich, where he was affiliated to the Corps Franconia. As a junior lawyer he began in 1868 in Berchtesgaden to explore the still largely unconquered...
in 1870.
See also: List of the highest mountains in Germany and Great north faces of the Alps
Great north faces of the Alps
In mountaineering, the six great north faces of the Alps are known for their difficulty and great height. They are:*Cima Grande di Lavaredo*Eiger*Grandes Jorasses*Matterhorn*Petit Dru*Piz Badile...