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Via Ferrata and Lake Kristall Weisssee

Keko14. 08. 2012 16:38:22

On Sunday my wife and I with a group of via ferrata climbers set off on a trip to the Hohe Tauern in Austria. We arrived by cars to the foot of the gondola and then took the gondola to Lake Kristall Weisssee at 2250 m altitude, which lies at the foot of Granatspitze mountain (3086 m). We had extreme luck with the weather, so we enjoyed phenomenal views far around on surrounding peaks over 3000 m.
Our goal was the Kristall Weisssee via ferrata, which climbs above the glacial lake with difficulty E. Before entering the via ferrata you can descend via cable to the other side of the stream.
The via ferrata runs right above the lake and it quickly became clear to us that it's a very difficult via ferrata, as already C/D difficulty sections reach the difficulty offered by Železna Kapla in its hardest part. The via ferrata has 150 elevation meters and 400 meters of cable. Progress is very slow, as considerable resting on the lanyard is needed, which is an essential aid here, since the cable is loose and there are quite a few overhanging parts on the via ferrata. The hardest part of the via ferrata is at the transition between ladders, where you have to overcome a roof that looks really impressive from below. According to via ferrata climbers who have several E's behind them, this via ferrata is the hardest among all they've climbed so far. Really a wonderful place for easier hiking, beautiful views and exceptional via ferrata that we will remember for a long time.