Wörner (Alps)
Encyclopedia
The Wörner is a high mountain in the Karwendel
on the border between Bavaria
and Tyrol. It is part of the Northern Karwendel Chain that initially runs northwards to the Wörner and then swings east. The northwest ridge (Nordwestgrat) of the Wörner is very striking and easy to make out from many other peaks in the region.
The mountain was probably first climbed from the south (Karwendel valley, Großkar) in 1853 during Austrian triangulation
work; but the first recorded ascent was by Hermann von Barth
in 1870, also from the south (grade II, brittle, exposed towards the end).
Today the mountain is mostly ascended on its western flank. The normal route starts at the Wörner Saddle , which is reached from Mittenwald
via the Hochland Hut or the Verein Alm (bicycle depot at ).
There is an initially straightforward, but lengthy and steep climb through rocky terrain. After a crossing at there are several climbing sections (grade II−) and the route is rather exposed in places.
An entire row of pitons left behind in the rock indicate that in the past, when troops of the Mittenwald mountain infantry passed this way, dangerous climbing sections were secured using rope railings. For a long time the route was only marked by cairns and a few posts, and orientation during the descent was difficult. Since 2002 the route has been marked throughout.
From the summit there is a view over the Karwendel valley and the central Karwendel chain from the Pleisenspitze to the Birkkarspitze
; close by to the north are the Schöttelkarspitze
and Soiernspitze
; this panorama in the foreground severely restricts the long-distance view.
On 9 July 1985 the then Defence Minister
, Manfred Wörner
, accompanied by Army mountain leaders (Heeresbergführer) from Mittenwald climbed the mountain that shares his name.
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....
on the border between Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
and Tyrol. It is part of the Northern Karwendel Chain that initially runs northwards to the Wörner and then swings east. The northwest ridge (Nordwestgrat) of the Wörner is very striking and easy to make out from many other peaks in the region.
The mountain was probably first climbed from the south (Karwendel valley, Großkar) in 1853 during Austrian triangulation
Triangulation
In trigonometry and geometry, triangulation is the process of determining the location of a point by measuring angles to it from known points at either end of a fixed baseline, rather than measuring distances to the point directly...
work; but the first recorded ascent was 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, also from the south (grade II, brittle, exposed towards the end).
Today the mountain is mostly ascended on its western flank. The normal route starts at the Wörner Saddle , which is reached from 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...
via the Hochland Hut or the Verein Alm (bicycle depot at ).
There is an initially straightforward, but lengthy and steep climb through rocky terrain. After a crossing at there are several climbing sections (grade II−) and the route is rather exposed in places.
An entire row of pitons left behind in the rock indicate that in the past, when troops of the Mittenwald mountain infantry passed this way, dangerous climbing sections were secured using rope railings. For a long time the route was only marked by cairns and a few posts, and orientation during the descent was difficult. Since 2002 the route has been marked throughout.
From the summit there is a view over the Karwendel valley and the central Karwendel chain from the Pleisenspitze to the Birkkarspitze
Birkkarspitze
The Birkkarspitze is the highest mountain in the Karwendel range, Austria....
; close by to the north are the Schöttelkarspitze
Schöttelkarspitze
Schöttelkarspitze is a mountain of Bavaria, Germany....
and Soiernspitze
Soiernspitze
At 2,257 metres, the Soiernspitze is the highest mountain in the Soiern Group in the Bavarian Karwendel range. Its summit may be climbed either from Seinsbachtal or from the Soiernhäusern by the lakes of Soiernseen in an easy mountain hike. The ridge walk to the nearby Schöttelkarspitze peak...
; this panorama in the foreground severely restricts the long-distance view.
On 9 July 1985 the then Defence Minister
Defence minister
A defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
, Manfred Wörner
Manfred Wörner
Manfred Hermann Wörner was a German politician and diplomat. He served as the defense minister of West Germany between 1982 and 1988. He then served as the seventh Secretary General of NATO from 1988 to 1994. His term as Secretary General saw the end of the Cold War and the German reunification...
, accompanied by Army mountain leaders (Heeresbergführer) from Mittenwald climbed the mountain that shares his name.