Similaun

Similaun south with Niederjochferner in 2005

Similaun north wall in 1981

The Similaun is a 3599 -meter-high ( according to the Alpine Club map 3606 meters) eisüberzogener mountain of Schnalskamms in the Ötztal Alps on the border between the Austrian state of Tyrol and the Italian province of South Tyrol. The first ascent of the tourist Similauns carried out by the clergy Theodor Kaserer, led by Josef Raffeiner of Our Woman in Schnalstal in 1834. On the 3210 meter high close Tisenjoch is the reference of Ötzi, a Neolithic glacier mummy.

Location

The Similaun is located about four kilometers in a straight line north-east of Vernago reservoir at the upper end of the Senales and 11 km south of Vent, in the municipality of Sölden in the Ötztal. The mountain rises geographically dominant over the surrounding glaciers. In the north of Similauns is the southern branch of the Marzellferners, in the east and south, the Count Furthermore extends. To the south east of the mountain drops steeply down into a gravel field named Similaungrube. Adjacent peaks are in the course of the south- the High Wart ( 3424 m) and in the north east, separated by the Similaunjoch at 3349 meters above sea level, the Western Marzellspitze with a height of 3450 meters.

Geology

The Ötztal main ridge between Similaun and Karlesspitze is located in a 12 km wide gap between the Vinschgau and Schneeberger shale zone. The main ridge peaks exist in this area on the north side of hard, largely weather-proof gneiss and granite in the south, making the summit region of Similauns protrudes steeply from the environment.

Bases and routes

The route of the first ascent of 1834 ran from the southern village of Our Woman in Schnalstal from over the mountain Kasererwartl and the Graf addition to Similaungipfel.

As a base for an ascent of Similauns today serves the Similaunhütte, west northwest of the town, at 3019 meters at the Niederjoch. From the hut, the normal route leads as high tour with the appropriate equipment in a southeasterly direction over the shallow firn of the upper Niederjoch over the snowy west ridge to the summit, according to the literature, 2 hours. Also from the Martin- Busch-Hütte ( 2501 m) is the Similaungipfel be reached in five hours. The way ( high way) leads in a southerly direction over the orographic left side of the Niederjochferner on the West Ridge of Similauns. The first committed in 1907, is regarded as a classic ice route through the north wall, caused by the melting of glaciers, completely free of snow at the bottom. Through the consequent danger of falling rocks the routes through the north wall are no longer committed.

Sources and maps

• Walter Klier, Alpine Club leaders Ötztal Alps, Munich 2006, ISBN 3-7633-1123-8
• Raymond of Klebelsberg, Geology of Tyrol, Berlin 1935
• Alpine Club map 1:25,000, sheet 30/1, Ötztal Alps, Gurgl
• Tabacco Verlag, Udine, Carta topografica 1:25,000, sheet 04, Val Senales / Schnalstal

Pictures

Similaun Marzellspitze and Marzellferner

Similaun from Brizzisee