Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe

The Spitzkoppe (also Butte ) is an island mountain 120 km east of Swakopmund in Namibia, of its surroundings dominates 700 meters. Because of its distinctive shape it is also referred to as the " Matterhorn of Namibia " and is one of the most photographed mountains in the country.

In addition to the main summit, there is a west summit with 1584 m (21 ° 49 ' S, 15 ° 10' O 21.82444444444415.1619444444441584 ). To the group of mountains still belong

• The Little Spitzkoppe ( 1557 m, 21 ° 51 ' S, 15 ° 3' O- 21.85515.0519444444441557 )
• And the Black Spitzkoppe ( 1178 m, 21 ° 40 ' S, 15 ° 8' O 21.66222222222215.1394444444441178 )

The Spitzkoppe was created by a dyke which, however, did not reach the earth's surface. Over millions of years, the surrounding overburden and only the witterungsbeständigere granite intrusion weathered retained.

As the Brandberg and Twyfelfontein there are also thousands of years old rock paintings, the most famous reference is the Bushman 's paradise. Due to vandalism these paintings, however, are largely destroyed. There is also the rhino wall, which shows that they must have formerly lived here.

The area in 1994 should be declared a nature reserve, but this is still not happening. Since 1993, the project AgriFutura, which is supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation maintains, the area and also maintains the Spitzkoppe Community Tourist Camp, which has 22 people working.

The vegetation, especially butter tree, balsam tree, white stem, Stinkbusch, Desert kohlrabi and Euphorbia, is here richer than in the environment because the clouds rain down here more often.

The bizarre rock formations are a popular and challenging destination for climbers. In the summer climbing is almost impossible, since heat the rocks in the sun too much. Despite appearances climbing the summit is difficult ( UIAA scale V on the easiest route ), the first ascent took place only in 1946. Since then, the summit of around 600 cliques has been reached. There are now around 200, some of them very difficult climbing routes in the area. Through a game fence, the filming of the movie 10,000 BC remained, half of all Kampierstellen is blocked for about 3 years, as well as a majority of the climbing routes, including access to popular normal route to the Great Spitzkoppe. The ascent figures therefore moved from about 80 to only about 10 a year back.

Among the most common gemstone minerals in the area of ​​Spitzkoppe include topaz, rose quartz and various tourmalines.

Other mountains in Namibia who bear the name of Spitzkoppe:

• Spitzkoppe 21 ° 54 ' S, 17 ° 33' O 21.89517.5494444444441805
• Spitzkoppe North 27 ° 18 ' S, 15 ° 41' O 27.30111111111115.689166666667633