Mädelegabel
Encyclopedia
The Mädelegabel is a 2,645 metre high mountain, made of dolomite
, in the Allgäu Alps
near Oberstdorf
. It is one of the best-known and most-climbed high peaks in the German Alps, Within the Allgäu Alps it is the fourth-higest summit, with rock faces up to 400 metres high. Together with the Trettachspitze
and the Hochfrottspitze
it forms the famous triumvirate of peaks on the main crest of the Allgäu. Its name comes from Mähder - a mown mountain pasture in the vicinity - and gabel from the appearance of the triumvirate to the north which recalls a fork (German: Gabel). Originally the Mädelegabel was the name for all three peaks of the triumvirate; only later were they distinguished from one another by name.
The border between Bavaria
and Austria
runs along the mountain ridge.
On its southeastern slopes is the Schwarzmilzferner, a small glacier.
The extremely popular Heilbronn Way (Heilbronner Weg) runs past the summit, below it and to the south.
which is not difficult as it is not very exposed and the going, on solid rock, is firm. As a result, the mountain receives a lot of visitors.
Bases that can be used for the ascent include the Waltenberger Haus (2.5 hours to the summit), Kemptner Hut (2.75 h) and Rappensee Hut (5 h). The Mädelegabel is a popular spring ski tour starting from the Lech valley and overnighting if need be at the Kemptner Hut.
The mountain was probably first climbed during survey work in 1818/19 which was completed by the border commission in 1835. It was certainly conquered in 1852 by Otto Sendtner
on today's normal ascent.
Dolomia Principale Formation
The Dolomia Principale Formation is a Mesozoic geologic formation. Fossil prosauropod tracks have been reported from the formation.-See also:* List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations** List of stratigraphic units with sauropodomorph tracks...
, in the Allgäu Alps
Allgäu Alps
The Allgäu Alps are a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps, located in Bavaria in Germany and Tyrol and Vorarlberg in Austria. The range lies directly east of Lake Constance.-Principal summits:-External links:*...
near Oberstdorf
Oberstdorf
Oberstdorf is a municipality and skiing and hiking town in southwest Germany, located in the Allgäu region of the Bavarian Alps.At the center of Oberstdorf is a church whose tall spire serves as a landmark for navigating around town. The summits of the Nebelhorn and Fellhorn provide...
. It is one of the best-known and most-climbed high peaks in the German Alps, Within the Allgäu Alps it is the fourth-higest summit, with rock faces up to 400 metres high. Together with the Trettachspitze
Trettachspitze
The Trettachspitze is a 2,595 metre high mountain in the Allgäu Alps in Germany. Due to its striking appearance it is one of the best-known mountains in the Allgäu Alps.- Location and area :...
and the Hochfrottspitze
Hochfrottspitze
The Hochfrottspitze is a 2,649 metre high mountain, made of dolomite, in the Allgäu Alps near Oberstdorf in Germany and the highest German mountain in the Allgäu Alps. The border with Austria runs along its ridge....
it forms the famous triumvirate of peaks on the main crest of the Allgäu. Its name comes from Mähder - a mown mountain pasture in the vicinity - and gabel from the appearance of the triumvirate to the north which recalls a fork (German: Gabel). Originally the Mädelegabel was the name for all three peaks of the triumvirate; only later were they distinguished from one another by name.
The border between Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
runs along the mountain ridge.
On its southeastern slopes is the Schwarzmilzferner, a small glacier.
The extremely popular Heilbronn Way (Heilbronner Weg) runs past the summit, below it and to the south.
Ascent
The Mädelegabel can be quickly reached from the Heilbronn Way. The route branches off the Heilbronn Way on the ridge just above the Schwarmilzferner glacier and follows the marked path, taking about 30 minutes to reach the summit. It involves a UIAA grade I climbGrade (climbing)
In rock climbing, mountaineering and other climbing disciplines, climbers give a climbing grade to a route that concisely describes the difficulty and danger of climbing the route...
which is not difficult as it is not very exposed and the going, on solid rock, is firm. As a result, the mountain receives a lot of visitors.
Bases that can be used for the ascent include the Waltenberger Haus (2.5 hours to the summit), Kemptner Hut (2.75 h) and Rappensee Hut (5 h). The Mädelegabel is a popular spring ski tour starting from the Lech valley and overnighting if need be at the Kemptner Hut.
The mountain was probably first climbed during survey work in 1818/19 which was completed by the border commission in 1835. It was certainly conquered in 1852 by Otto Sendtner
Otto Sendtner
Otto Sendtner was a German botanist and phytogeographer born in Munich.He received his education at the University of Munich, where he was a student of Karl Friedrich Schimper...
on today's normal ascent.
Sources
- Ernst Enzenperger: Die Gruppe der Mädelegabel, Munich, Jos. Köselsche Buchhandlung, 1909
- Thaddäus Steiner: Die Flurnamen der Gemeinde Oberstdorf im Allgäu, Vol. II, Selbstverlag des Verbandes für Flurnamenforschung, München 1972
- Alpenvereinskarte 1:25,000, Sheet 2/1, Allgäuer- Lechtaler Alpen, West