Plattspitzen
Encyclopedia
The Plattspitzen is a 2,680 metre high mountain in the Wetterstein Mountains on the border between Germany
and Austria
. It is a very striking mountain and the southern companion of the Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze
, located at the opposite end of the ledge known as the Plattumrahmung. The mountain has three summits: the eastern summit, known as the Gatterlspitz , the middle summit (Mittelgipfel) and the western summit (Westgipfel). It was first climbed in 1871 by Hermann von Barth
, who conquered all three peaks alone departing from the Zugspitzplatt ledge. At that time the mountain was also known as the Wetterschrofen.
and lies just under 3 kilometres south of the Zugspitze
, forming the southern cornerstone of the Zugspitze massif. One kilometre to the west it meets the higher, but much less prominent Wetterspitzen
. To the south, towards the valley of the Gais
, the mountain has a very steep and rugged face, about 700 metres high.
to the northeast by crossing the Platt along the northwestern ridge, parts of which are medium difficulty (in places up to Grade III
. The duration of this route up to the eastern summit is about five hours.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
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...
. It is a very striking mountain and the southern companion of the Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze
Zugspitze
The Zugspitze, at 2,962 metres above sea level, is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the border between Germany and Austria runs over its western summit. South of the mountain is...
, located at the opposite end of the ledge known as the Plattumrahmung. The mountain has three summits: the eastern summit, known as the Gatterlspitz , the middle summit (Mittelgipfel) and the western summit (Westgipfel). It was first climbed in 1871 by Hermann von Barth
Hermann von Barth
Hermann von Barth was a famous German mountaineer.Hermann von Barth was born on 5 June 1845 at Eurasburg Castle. He initially studied law in Munich, where he was affiliated to the Corps Franconia. As a junior lawyer he began in 1868 in Berchtesgaden to explore the still largely unconquered...
, who conquered all three peaks alone departing from the Zugspitzplatt ledge. At that time the mountain was also known as the Wetterschrofen.
Location
The mountain is made of Wetterstein limestoneWetterstein limestone
Wetterstein limestone and Wetterstein dolomite are the most common names for a carbonate rock from the Middle Triassic epoch of the Ladinian stage, comparable to the German stage in which muschelkalk rock strata were formed....
and lies just under 3 kilometres south of the Zugspitze
Zugspitze
The Zugspitze, at 2,962 metres above sea level, is the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains as well as the highest mountain in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the border between Germany and Austria runs over its western summit. South of the mountain is...
, forming the southern cornerstone of the Zugspitze massif. One kilometre to the west it meets the higher, but much less prominent Wetterspitzen
Wetterspitzen
The Wetterspitzen are three of the rocky peaks on a mountain ridge in the Wetterstein mountains in the central part of the Eastern Alps in Germany. The lie two kilometres, as the crow flies, southwest of Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, on the border between the Austrian province of Tyrol and...
. To the south, towards the valley of the Gais
Gais
Gais is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland. The area of Gais is .In 1977 Gais received the Wakker Prize for the development and preservation of its architectural heritage...
, the mountain has a very steep and rugged face, about 700 metres high.
Base and climbing
The Plattspitzen can be climbed from the Knorr HutKnorr Hut
The Knorr Hut is a mountain hut belonging to the German Alpine Club and located in the Wetterstein Mountains at a height of . Its lies right on the edge of the Zugspitzplatt where it drops into the Reintalanger in a location with scenic views and is an important base for hikers who can climb up to...
to the northeast by crossing the Platt along the northwestern ridge, parts of which are medium difficulty (in places up to Grade III
Grade (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...
. The duration of this route up to the eastern summit is about five hours.
Sources and maps
- Alpenvereinskarte 1:25.000, Blatt 4/2, Wetterstein- und Mieminger Gebirge