Skitouring at its best: Discover the Pleisenspitze

Th peak of luck: The 2567 meter high Pleisenspitze is the most popular ski touring mountain in the Hochkarwendel. No doubt – the view is just great! An obligatory stop halfway from the summit into the valley: The well-kept stop-off at “Pleisen-Siggi”.

 

“Wo die Berge in den Himmel ragen,

ihre Gipfel blühn im Sonnenschein,

klare Bächlein fließen durch die Täler,

nur das Karwendel ist die Heimat mein.“

 

This is a tyrolean song and means: ‘Where the mountains rise into the sky, their peaks bloom in the sunshine, clear streams flow through the valleys, only the Karwendel is my home.’ 

The “Karwendellied”, a folk music declaration of love to the Tyrolean mountain homeland, is neither from DJ Ötzi nor from Andreas Gabalier, but from the Pleisen-Toni. His name was actually Anton Gaugg, he came from Scharnitz – and for half a century he was the original of the Karwendel. When he came in Russian captivityas a young fellow in the Second World War he had sworn to himself to build his own home in the Karwendel when he will be back one day. After five endless years, he actually came home from captivity – and took his vows. Halfway from Scharnitz to his favorite mountain, the Pleisenspitze his life’s dream should stand: his own hut. So he built it with his own hands – and also dragged all building materials and tools from Scharnitz up the 800 meters. Driveway? At that time still missing. An inhuman achievement!

 

 

Not really inhuman is the performance to climb the 2567 meters high Pleisenspitze with touring skis in winter. But 1600 meters are already an announcement. However, three big pluses make it the most popular (and most visited) winter destination in the Karwendel.

First, since it is the westernmost peak in the main ridge, you can confidently leave out the miserable long Talhatscher at the Pleisenspitze- for which the Karwendel is notorious among ski tourers. After just half an hour walk along the Isar, the ascent begins. Anlike most parts of the Karwendel, it’s a breeze – and the perfect warm-up for the upcoming 1600 altitude difference.

Secondly, the ski tour is relatively avalanche-safe thanks to the southwestern exposure and the pronounced ridge that runs up to the summit ridge above the tree line. Accordingly, it is well-visited on nice ski touring days. The Pleisenspitze is just not a destination for outdoor autistics.

And thirdly: halfway between the valley and the summit lures the Pleisenhütte. But more about that later.

 

 
 

Ski tour Pleisenspitze

The tour starts in Scharnitz at the car park “Karwendeltäler”. From the Isar bridge it is only about one and a half kilometers east through the Hinterautal direction Hallerangerhaus until it goes left on the new Isarlodge Wiesenhof on the road through the forest to Pleisenhütte. Every now and then shortening the road, you climb through dense forest belt into the open terrain and at the end crosses far right to the Pleisenhütte. Northeastward you follow the ascent tracks to the tub of the Vorderkars and then rise over the broad Südwestrükken to the summit cross. In the end the back rejuvenates to a ridge, exposed to the south, the rear Pleisengrat. Care here with the “Wechten”! The last highmeters are usually better for walking. After about four hours you finally arrive at the top, at the summit cross of the Pleisenspitze.

 

360-degree panoramic view of the Karwendel

 
The many ski tourers enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view of the Karwendel, across the neighboring Wetterstein and the Stubai. And about the upcoming, beautiful descent – in winter through fine powder, in spring on best firn. As always: Good timing decides on the sunlit descent about desire or frustration.
 
 
 
 
A mandatory stop after 800 meters from the summit is, of course, the stop in the self-built hut of the Pleisen-Toni. Unfortunately he has been in the Karwendel heaven since 2007. Today, his son, the Pleisen-Siggi, and his daughter-in-law Andrea take care of the cozy Pleisenhütte. And open it in winter for the weekend days. Tired ski tourers are looking forward to take a break from the descent and enjoy the top view from the sun terrace – and of course one or two cold drinks. Maybe also singing from sheer bliss, like the last stanza of Pleisen-Tonis Karwendel song:„Herrgott lass mich doch von droben schauen, noch einmal sehe ich die Heimat mein, so dank ich dir allein, von ganzem Herzen möcht im Karwendel glücklich sein, nur im Karwendel glücklich sein.“ (‘God let me look from above, once again I see this is my home, so I thank you from all my heart, I want to be happy in the Karwendel, only be happy in the Karwendel.’)
 
 

 

 

Pleisenspitz ski tour info box

The moderate, but high-altitude ski tour from Scharnitz to Pleisenspitze (2567m) is the most popular ski tour in the Hochkarwendel. So if ski tourers like a break after 1,600 meters of altitude and the descent over the wide southwestern ridges, a stop at the Pleisen-Siggi (photo), who hosts the Pleisen hut on saturday and sunday is a must.

Duration: 4h

Difficulty: Medium

 

Do you already know all our new winter catalog stories?

→ Dammkar: In the footsteps of the worm

→ Family skitour at Kranzberg

→ Interview: Magdalena Neuner – A heart of gold

 

Photos: ©Anton Brey