Schneefernerkopf
Encyclopedia
The Schneefernerkopf is a 2875 metres (9,432.4 ft) high peak in the Zugspitze
massif in the Alps
. It lies at the western end of the Wetterstein
chain in the Alps
on the border between the German
state of Bavaria
and the Austria
n state of Tyrol
. It is the dominant mountain in the Wetterstein, especially when viewed from Ehrwald
.
, this depends heavily on the definition of the term 'mountain'. Due to its proximity to the Zugspitze (it has a topographic isolation
of 1.7 km) it is questionable whether it can be counted as an independent mountain, or merely as a sub-peak of the Zugspitze. Either way, its prominence is 176 m. If it is not reckoned as an independent peak, then the claim to the second highest mountain in Germany goes to the Hochwanner
, which is clearly separated from the Zugspitze massif by the Rein Valley, Gatterl and Feldernjöchl. The third highest mountain, with a height of , is the Watzmann
in the Berchtesgaden Alps
.
or past it to the Schneefernerscharte. Here there is the 'wind hole (Windloch), a result of weathering, with its view looking down onto Ehrwald. To get to the peak the path crosses the northern shoulder on steps and along a steep path with the aid of steel cables, which follows the Schneefernerkopf Lift, closed in 2003 but not removed. The entire journey takes just under an hour. Surefootedness and a head for heights are essential.
From the Schneefernerkopf there is an exceptionally challenging downhill ski run, the Neue Welt, descending for almost 2,000 metres, to Ehrwald. It is very exposed, with slopes up to 45º and has an abseil section, that is rated as UIAA grade III.
See also: List of the highest mountains in Germany
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...
massif in the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
. It lies at the western end of the Wetterstein
Wetterstein
The Wetterstein, is a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. It is a compact range between Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, Seefeld in Tirol and Ehrwald; partially in Bavaria, Germany and partially in Tyrol, Austria...
chain in the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
on the border between the German
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...
state of 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 the 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...
n state of Tyrol
Tyrol (state)
Tyrol is a state or Bundesland, located in the west of Austria. It comprises the Austrian part of the historical region of Tyrol.The state is split into two parts–called North Tyrol and East Tyrol–by a -wide strip of land where the state of Salzburg borders directly on the Italian province of...
. It is the dominant mountain in the Wetterstein, especially when viewed from Ehrwald
Ehrwald
Ehrwald is a municipality in the Austrian district of Reutte, Tyrol.Ehrwald lies at the southern base of the Zugspitze , Germany's highest mountain, but which is shared with Austria. The town is connected to the Zugspitze with the Tyrolean Aerial Tramway .-References:...
.
Distinction from the Zugspitze
Although the Schneefernerkopf may be viewed as the 'second highest mountain in Germany' after the ZugspitzeZugspitze
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...
, this depends heavily on the definition of the term 'mountain'. Due to its proximity to the Zugspitze (it has a topographic isolation
Topographic isolation
The topographic isolation of a summit is the minimum horizontal distance to the nearest point of higher elevation. Topographic isolation represents a radius of dominance in which the summit is the highest point. Topographic isolation can be calculated for small hills and islands as well as for...
of 1.7 km) it is questionable whether it can be counted as an independent mountain, or merely as a sub-peak of the Zugspitze. Either way, its prominence is 176 m. If it is not reckoned as an independent peak, then the claim to the second highest mountain in Germany goes to the Hochwanner
Hochwanner
At , the Hochwanner is the second highest mountain in Germany after the Zugspitze...
, which is clearly separated from the Zugspitze massif by the Rein Valley, Gatterl and Feldernjöchl. The third highest mountain, with a height of , is the Watzmann
Watzmann
The Watzmann is the third highest mountain in Germany, and the highest peak standing entirely within Germany. Its three main peaks are Hocheck , Mittelspitze and Südspitze .The Watzmann massive also includes the...
in the Berchtesgaden Alps
Berchtesgaden Alps
The Berchtesgaden Alps are a mountain range of the Northern Limestone Alps, named after the market town of Berchtesgaden located in the centre...
.
Base and easiest climb
The easiest way to climb the Schneefernerkopf is from the Zugspitze ledge or Zugspitzplatt. The path runs over the rest of the SchneefernerSchneeferner
The Schneeferner in the Bavarian Alps is Germany's highest and largest glacier. It is located on the Zugspitzplatt, a plateau south of the country's highest peak, the Zugspitze, that descends from west to east and forms the head of the Reintal valley...
or past it to the Schneefernerscharte. Here there is the 'wind hole (Windloch), a result of weathering, with its view looking down onto Ehrwald. To get to the peak the path crosses the northern shoulder on steps and along a steep path with the aid of steel cables, which follows the Schneefernerkopf Lift, closed in 2003 but not removed. The entire journey takes just under an hour. Surefootedness and a head for heights are essential.
From the Schneefernerkopf there is an exceptionally challenging downhill ski run, the Neue Welt, descending for almost 2,000 metres, to Ehrwald. It is very exposed, with slopes up to 45º and has an abseil section, that is rated as UIAA grade III.
Sources and maps
- Stefan Beulke: Alpenvereinsführer Wetterstein, München 1996, ISBN 3-7633-1119-X
- Alpenvereinskarte 1:25.000, Blatt 4/2, Wetterstein- und Mieminger Gebirge
See also: List of the highest mountains in Germany