Ski Touring recommended route

Pirchkogel (02)

Ski Touring · Haiming closed
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  • Skitour Pirchkogel
    Skitour Pirchkogel
    Photo: Ötztal Tourismus Büro Oetz, Ötztal
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Selected alternatives for you
    MARLSTEIN - fünfte Kehre - Steinmandl - Schafjoch - Nordflanke Pirchkogel - PIRCHKOGEL
    closed
    moderate
    Distance 4 km
    3:30 h
    1,043 m
    1,043 m
    2,828 m
    1,788 m
     

    From Marlstein you follow the cleared winter walking trail in directionGrünwaslekreuz until you get to the first left bend. Straight aheadeastwards, you reach a wide open strip. Keep to the left and followthe strip half-way (uphill), then through the sparse forest to the left innorthern direction towards the tree line. Follow the broad and wavyridge in north-eastern direction to the main crest. Heading eastwardson a short and permanently ascending route, past the cairn, you getto Schafjoch where the broad ridge narrows considerably. Proceedon the small crest to the saddleback north-west of the mighty peak.Cross a short steep slope in the northern part (crux!) of the summit.Circle the peak slope, conquer the upper part of the snow-coveredvalley from the east before you proceed to the dip located in-betweenthe two peak tops. Keep to the left and continue on the quiteeasy route to the highest point (unmarked), then return to the peakcross on the second peak top.

    Profile picture of Julian Noggler
    Author
    Julian Noggler
    Update: September 27, 2024
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,828 m
    Lowest point
    1,788 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Cardinal direction
    NESW

    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    Avalanche Hazard Scale

    1 (LOW)

    Triggering is generally possible but only from high additional load in isolated areas of extremely steep terrain. Only small-sized sluffs and natural avalanches are expected. Snow layers are generally stable.

    2 (MODERATE)

    Avalanches may be triggered in case of truly heavy loads, especially on a few explicitly indicated, steep slopes. Large spontaneous avalanches are not expected. In general, the snowpack is well bonded except on some very steep slopes. Choose your route carefully, avoid the indicated slopes and exposed sections.

    3 (CONSIDERABLE)

    Triggering is very probable even from low additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. On some steeper slopes, medium or even fairly large spontaneous avalanches may occur. On most steepslopes the snow layer is only moderately or weakly stable. Expertavalanche knowledge is required. You must avoid the indicated steepslopes and highly exposed sections.

    4 (HIGH)

    Avalanches are likely to be triggered on many of the indicated steepslopes even if only light loads are applied. In some places, numerous medium-sized and also large-sized natural avalanches are expected.The snowpack is poorly bonded on most steep slopes. Choose your route according to these criteria, select only moderately steep terrain by avoiding the avalanche runout zones. Very expert avalanche knowledge is required.

    5 (EXTREMELY HIGH)

    Numerous huge or very large-sized natural avalanches are expected also in moderately steep terrain. Safe skiing is not possible anymore, not even in the marked ski area. The snowpack is poorly bonded and largely unstable. Don‘t go ski mountaineering at all!

     

    Also visit lawine.tirol.gv.at

    Tips and suggestions

    Ski Mountaineering Rules
    • If you enjoy activities amid nature always respect the local guidelines when you set out on a ski tour (for example: wildlife preserves, hunting enclosures, reforestation areas, information boards, etc.).
    • Don‘t enter protected wildlife zones or feeding areas amid naturelandscapes, and avoid noise.
    • Cross forest areas in winter only on sign posted trails or marked routes as wild animals can panic if they hear loud voices or noise.
    • Learn more about the habitat of wild animals in the mountains, avoid getting too close to them. Watch them only from a safe distance. Please put your dog on a lead, it is absolutely irresponsible to take dogs into the forest without leashing them because wild animals suffer from food deficiency and weakness in winter.
    • Excellent planning and time management: start your tour early enough and return before darkness. In spring you should be back on the hut or in the valley at 12 noon (avalanche hazard!) at the latest.
    • Never cross forestation zones and areas with young plants and trees.

     

    Ötztal Tourismus doesn‘t take any responsibility for the suggested tours. It is strongly recommended to enlist a certified local mountainguide. Glacier crossings are allowed only in a group by using a rope.

    Before you set out on a tour you should inform someone down in the valley about the tour‘s destination and when you plan to be back. Anavalanche transceiver is an absolute must for Alpine ski mountaineering tours.

     

    More details about ski mountaineering tours in Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/skitouren 

     

    Start

    Marlstein above Ochsengarten
    Coordinates:
    DD
    47.232235, 10.961335
    DMS
    47°13'56.0"N 10°57'40.8"E
    UTM
    32T 648462 5232837
    w3w 
    ///hassle.hard.vest

    Destination

    Pirchkogel

    Turn-by-turn directions

    From Marlstein you follow the cleared winter walking trail in directionGrünwaslekreuz until you get to the first left bend. Straight aheadeastwards, you reach a wide open strip. Keep to the left and followthe strip half-way (uphill), then through the sparse forest to the left innorthern direction towards the tree line. Follow the broad and wavyridge in north-eastern direction to the main crest. Heading eastwardson a short and permanently ascending route, past the cairn, you getto Schafjoch where the broad ridge narrows considerably. Proceedon the small crest to the saddleback north-west of the mighty peak.Cross a short steep slope in the northern part (crux!) of the summit.Circle the peak slope, conquer the upper part of the snow-coveredvalley from the east before you proceed to the dip located in-betweenthe two peak tops. Keep to the left and continue on the quiteeasy route to the highest point (unmarked), then return to the peakcross on the second peak top.

    Public transport

    Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

     

    Directions

    Ochsengarten  is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

     

    Parking

    parking at Marlstein above Ochsengarten

    Coordinates

    DD
    47.232235, 10.961335
    DMS
    47°13'56.0"N 10°57'40.8"E
    UTM
    32T 648462 5232837
    w3w 
    ///hassle.hard.vest
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Recommended Ski Mountaineering Equipment

    The „standard ski mountaineering equipment“ is: touring skis with touring bindings, telescopic poles, climbing skins, ski crampons, digital avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, firstaid kit and mobile phone. A „complete glacier equipment set“ contains: sit harness, two prusik loops of different lengths and ascenders, two HMS biners, icepick, climbing irons and rope. Pack your rucksack carefully and don‘t forget extra clothes for the descent, sun protection/cream, cold protection, enough food and drink. If you stay overnight at a mountain hut take toiletry articles and a hut sleeping bag with you!

     

    LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY

    • Easy: Short or moderately long tours, always easy, with ascents not steeper than 25° or slightly steeper only on short sections.
    • Intermediate: Moderately long or long tours of intermediate difficulty with ascents up to 35° or slightly steeper only on short sections.
    • Difficult: Very challenging and long or very long tours with ascents that can exceed 40°, comprising also climbing sections up to difficulty grade II (UIAA).

     

    Similar routes nearby

    • Wetterkreuz (03)
    • Ski tour on the slope Ochsengarten - Hochoetz (04)
    • Faltegartenköpfl (01)
    • Zwieselbacher Rosskogel 3.081 - Umhausen-Niederthai
    • Finstertaler Schartenkopf 2855m - Umhausen-Niederthai
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Status
    closed
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    4 km
    Duration
    3:30 h
    Ascent
    1,043 m
    Descent
    1,043 m
    Highest point
    2,828 m
    Lowest point
    1,788 m
    Scenic Refreshment stops available Summit route High-altitude ski tour Clear area Linear route Forest

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