Watzmann (summer 2003)

related links: photos and info about Watzmann

Watzmann, 2713m high mountain is the main peak of Berchtesgaden National Park. This massif with almost 2km high East Face is built of limestone and dolomite. First climbers who reached the top via East Face were Johann Grill (Kederbacher) from Ramsau and his partner O. Schuck in 1881.

Their route (Kederbacherweg – Kederbach`s Route) is about 3000m long and it`s difficulty is about II and III (UIAA), only one short part is IV. It takes about 6-8 hours to the top. There are over 10 other easy routes leading through the East Face and a big number of difficult routes on nearby summits.

I wanted to climb the East Face but with a lack of info and without a climbing partner I chose to try the famous Via Ferrata leading along the main ridge of Mt. Watzmann.

Profile of the trip.

I started my trip at a camp in Konigsee at 4am wearing running shoes and with a small back pack.

In about 2.5 hours I got to Watzmannhaus, a place where the ridge steeply rises from Alpine meadows and forests and at about 8 o`clock I reached the top. The weather wasn`t so good. It didn`t rain but was very cloudy so I wasn`t able to enjoy the breathtaking view of Konigsee Lake laying more than 2km below me. At 10 o`clock I finished the Via Ferrata and descended to a valley.

Top of Watzmann..

The way back was very tiring. I dropped down to Bartholomew church by the Konigsee Lake and than climbed again up to Kuhroint. I finished the trip at 9pm at Konigsee`s camp.

...view of Konigsee Lake...

Resume:

length – aproximately 27km

altitude gain of 3180m

time: about 16 hours