Erlspitze

The Erlspitze, at 2,405 m (AA), is the highest mountain of the range to which it gives its name in the southeastern corner of the Karwendel Alps. Its pyramid-shaped summit makes it a good observation peak north of the Erl Saddle and the Solsteinhaus mountain hut.

Erlspitze
The Erlspitze from the Gipfelstürmer Way
Highest point
Elevation2,405 m (AA) (7,890 ft)
Prominence2,405-1,798 m ↓ Erl Saddle (Erlsattel)
Isolation2.4 km → Großer Solstein
Coordinates47°19′12″N 11°17′07″E
Geography
Erlspitze is located in Austria
Erlspitze
Erlspitze
Parent rangeErlspitzgruppe, Karwendel
Geology
Age of rockNorium
Type of rockmain dolomite
Climbing
First ascent1886/1890 by August and Fraja Lieber (tourists)
Normal routeprotected route from the Solsteinhaus

Ascents

The normal route runs from the Solsteinhaus (1,805 m (AA)) along the south arête on a waymarked path (with several sections protected by cable) to the summit (ca. 1.5 hours).

The "Zirler Klettersteig" runs along the Eppzirler Scharte (2,104 m (AA)) and the west arête (ca. 2–2.5 hours from the Solsteinhaus; the col can also be reached from the Eppzirler Alm to the north). This requires sure-footedness and a head for heights and was renovated and made more interesting in 2007; the cable being led out of the rock crevices. Klettersteig equipment and helmets are recommended. Its difficulty is assessed as between A and B according to the signage. Shortly before the summit is a short section at grade D, which can be circumnavigated, however, without loss of time.

Tourism

From 1886 to 1890, the Innsbruck doctor and poet, August Lieber, together with his son, Fraja Lieber, climbed nearly all the summits in the Nordkette and Erlspitze Group. For many peaks in the latter group, including the Erlspitze, these were the first known tourist ascents.[1]

References
  1. Heinrich Schwaiger in Eduard Richter (ed.): Die Erschließung der Ostalpen, Vol. I, Berlin, 1894, p. 225.

Literature
  • Walter Klier: Alpenvereinsführer Karwendel alpin, 15th edn., 2005, Bergverlag Rudolf Rother, Munich, ISBN 3-7633-1121-1
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