Can I do the tour through the Höllental to the Zugspitze? Am I fit enough and do I have the technical ability to take part in a guided tour?
For anyone who asks these questions, this 2-day course including a guided tour is just the right thing, as it conveys a lot of content on the first day and determines the existing skills of the participants. On the second day, the tour to the Zugspitze starts from the Höllentalangerhütte.
The advantages of this process are obvious:
On the one hand, by starting from the Höllentalangerhütte on the 2nd day, the long tour to the Zugspitze can be shortened by 2 hours and 650 meters in altitude, on the other hand, all participants are taught various theoretical and practical training content on the 1st day in order to make the difficult mountain tour as smooth as possible and to master it confidently. A well-rounded package for all those who don't want to get the tour over with with difficulty and hardship, but want to climb the highest peak in Germany with fun and the necessary skills.
1 day
We meet in Hammersbach in the morning and, after an equipment check, climb comfortably to the Höllentaleingangshütte and further through the Höllentalklamm to the Höllentalangerhütte, where we arrive after a good 2 hours. Now the heavy excess luggage can stay in the hut and we first enjoy the coffee. The motto for the rest of the day is: Practice, try out and learn as much as possible without having to cover long distances or a lot of altitude difference. After all, we want to be 100% fit the next day. So we use the training opportunities near the hut and the entrance to the via ferrata to the Riffelscharte to practice various scenarios. We are re-enacting the situation as it awaits us tomorrow at the Randkluft, the transition from the Höllentalferner to the upper via ferrata. Practice knots, play through the safety process on the glacier with rope and crampons and improve our via ferrata technique so that we can move around with a harness and via ferrata set as energy-saving as possible. We go through almost all the situations that await us the next day and also prepare to belay someone on the via ferrata. After dinner and planning the tour, we go to bed early so that we are fit for the Zugspitze the next day.
2 day
The alarm clock rings early. We enjoy the silence at breakfast and then pack up our things to set off. We already know the first 30 minutes from the day before and we can now - well prepared - look forward to what is to come. A good distance before the famous "ladder" and the spectacular "board" we put on our via ferrata equipment. Everything is going wonderfully because we are familiar with the material and know where to climb and grab so that it costs us as little energy as possible. After the green hump we see the Höllentalferner up close for the first time. Depending on the conditions, the crampons are now used and we go into the glacier rope team. Finally we approach the key point of the tour, the Randkluft. Here, too, thanks to the training from the day before, we know how to behave and what is important. When we have reached the traverse in the via ferrata above the glacier, the real fun begins. With a wonderful view down below, we work our way meter by meter towards our goal. We're slowly noticing that the air is getting thinner and our legs are getting a little heavier. When we see the Eibsee for the first time, it's not far - we're in the Irmerscharte. Now we mobilize all reserves of strength again and soon see the golden cross flashing in the sun. We made it, the highest mountain in Germany is ours! After the well-deserved beer, we float down into the valley with the cable car.
We learned a lot, experienced unforgettable moments and probably also struggled a lot.
But it was worth the effort.
As a mountain school, one thing is still important to mention at this point: Unfortunately, this course is also not suitable for people who do not meet the basic requirements of the tour! The mountain guide cannot and will not carry you to the summit on this tour either, you have to go yourself. So if you don't meet the requirements listed below, you have to expect that the mountain guide will exclude you from the tour on the 2nd day.
Information about the course:
Duration: 2 days
Meeting point: 8:00 am at the Hammersbach hiking car park
Minimum number of participants: 4 participants (max. number of participants 5)
Extra cost:
Mountain railways: costs for descent, current prices at www.zugspitze.de
Overnight stay/board: Overnight stay with half board at the Höllentalangerhütte
Other admissions: €5.00 entry Höllentalklamm / DAV members €2.00 (DAV ID!)
Services included:
Guided tour by certified mountain and ski guides
Included rental equipment:
Complete via ferrata equipment including helmet, climbing harness, via ferrata set and, if necessary, crampons
Requirements for the participants:
Condition: 8-10 hours ascent in alpine terrain / very good condition
Technique: sure-footedness, no fear of heights
Equipment needed:
Category B, B/C or C over-the-ankle mountaineering boots
Weatherproof mountain clothing
Backpack
Country: Germany
