Kraspesspitze 2,954m - Umhausen-Niederthai

Please note the current snow and avalanche report for the coming days: https://lawinen.report/bulletin/latest 

Avalanche danger scale

1 (LOW) An avalanche release is only possible under heavy additional load on very few, extreme steep slopes. No spontaneous avalanches (so-called slides) expected. Generally safe conditions.

2 (MODERATE) Avalanche release is likely under heavy additional load especially on the indicated steep slopes. Larger avalanches are not expected. The snowpack is generally well consolidated except on some steep slopes. Careful route choice on the indicated steep slopes and exposures.

3 (CONSIDERABLE) Avalanche release is already likely under slight additional load especially on the indicated steep slopes. Occasionally some medium, occasionally also large avalanches may spontaneously occur. The snowpack is moderately to weakly consolidated on many steep slopes. Experience in avalanche assessment is necessary. Avoid indicated steep slopes and exposures as much as possible.

4 (HIGH) Avalanche release is possible already under slight additional load especially on the indicated steep slopes. Occasionally many medium, also multiple large avalanches may occur. The snowpack is only weakly consolidated on many steep slopes. Route choice limited to moderately steep terrain and consideration of avalanche runout zones. A lot of experience in avalanche assessment is necessary.

5 (VERY HIGH) Numerous large avalanches spontaneously expected, also in moderately steep terrain. At this warning level no safe operation in ski areas is possible. The snowpack is generally weakly consolidated and unstable. Avoid tours is recommended.

Ski touring rules

• Observe the applicable regulations for all activities in nature and when choosing your route (e.g. wildlife protection areas, hunting closed areas, reforestation areas, information boards, etc.)
• Respect quiet zones for wild animals and avoid feeding places and loud noises
• Cross forest areas in winter only on approved paths and routes when possible; animals react panically to untraceable noise.
• Recognize wild animals' habitats, avoid animals where possible. Observe wild animals only from a distance. Dogs must be kept on a leash; it is absolutely irresponsible to let dogs run free in the forest during winter hardship times.
• Plan the timing correctly: start early enough and return before darkness. In spring, you should be back to the hut by noon (avalanche danger)
• Never travel through reforestation and young growth areas. 

Ötztal Tourism assumes no liability for the listed routes and recommends taking a mountain guide. Glacier crossings are only possible with a rope and in a group.

Before starting a tour, you should inform in the valley about the destination and expected return time. The use of an avalanche transceiver is strongly recommended.

More info about ski touring in the Ötztal can be found here

From the Sennhof parking lot in Niederthai (next to the information), start leisurely the 7 kilometers along the Horlachtal path to the Schweinfurter Hut (2,034 m). Shortly before the Schweinfurter Hut, the "Gubener Weg" path then leads left over a slightly steeper slope up towards Weites Kar. Follow the path to a fork. To the left the path leads towards the Finstertaler Scharte and the Schartenkogel - to the right the path leads over the summit slope to the Kraspesspitze (2,954 m).