Mountain ranges / Otztal Alps / Wildspitze

Wildspitze

Country: Austria

Mountain range: Otztal Alps

Elevation: 3768 m / 12362 ft

Lat/Lon: 46.88525°N 10.86723°E

Type: peak

Weather forecast:

Views: 5,270

Popularity: 41% (2211th place)

Number of pictures: 7

Number of paths: 1

Number of GPS tracks: 0

Description of mountain:
Wildspitze, at 3,768 m (still 3,770 m on some maps), is the highest mountain of the Ötztal Alps, the highest peak entirely in Tyrol, and simultaneously the mountain with the fourth-highest topographic prominence in the Alps. The twin-headed mountain is represented by its southern (now main) and northern summits. Unlike the southern one, the northern summit—which was long considered the higher—has a permanent snow cap; snowmelt has given primacy to the southern head and accordingly lowered the mountain's height by a few meters. The northern summit, currently around 3,765 m, receives fewer visits today but is more visible from much of the Eastern Alps.

The peak saw its first successful ascent in 1848, almost 50 years after the first ascent of Austria's highest peak, Großglockner, just 30 m higher. The mountain lies above vast glaciers in the midst of the still intensely glaciated Alps, and all approaches are long, strenuous, and require full glacier gear and experience.

Nevertheless, Wildspitze—as befits one of Austria's most famous and prestigious mountains—attracts considerable visitors year-round. Due to its topographic prominence and the attractive surroundings, the summit offers expansive views limited in clear weather only by the Earth's curvature: views across the vast Taschachferner glacier toward the northern Ötztal groups and the Northern Limestone Alps, far to the south the Dolomites beyond the peaks above Vent, and fine vistas toward the High Tauern, Stubai Alps, Ortler, and Bernina group.