Mountain ranges / Otztal Alps / Hohe Geige

Hohe Geige

Country: Austria

Mountain range: Otztal Alps

Altitude: 3394 m

Latitude/Longitude:

47,0047°N 10,90875°E

Type: peak

Weather forecast:

Views: 1,430

Popularity: 29% (2680. place)

Number of images: 6

Number of trails: 1

Number of GPS tracks: 0

Description of mountain:
Hohe Geige, at an elevation between 3,393 and 3,396 m, is one of the highest and most important peaks in the northern part of the Ötztal Alps. As the highest point of one of the central groups in the range, the Geigenkamm ridge, it receives considerable visits, aided by the relatively straightforward yet attractive approach via the western ridge and the fact that it is one of Austria's highest peaks where, in high season, ascent is typically possible without winter gear.

Since Hohe Geige surpasses all peaks in the northern Ötztal Alps in height—except for individual bold towers of the parallel Kaunergrat ridge—it serves as a prominent viewpoint: particularly attractive are the views to the Pitztal valley far below and the bold Kaunergrat above it, home to some of Austria's hardest-to-reach summits; the unique vista of the mighty glaciers in the central (highest) part of the range, dominated by Wildspitze; and the main peaks of the Stubai Alps, led by Zuckerhütl, to the east.

Although the standard routes to Hohe Geige do not reach the technical difficulty typical of the neighboring Kaunergrat summits, every approach remains very demanding, and the mountain is notoriously crumbly. The classic ascent via the southern arête ("normalweg") has become increasingly discouraged in recent years due to objective hazards from extreme fragility, so ascent and descent via the western ridge—following the route of a former easier climbing line, now secured at key points—are recommended.