Zugspitze (2964m)

The general view of the area. Jubilaumsgrat Ridge, Alpspitze on the left, Zugspitze on the right.

Zugspitze is the highest Mountain of Germany. It doesn`t offer as many climbing opportunities as other mountains. Zugspitze region is mostly built of limestone and it`s slopes seem to be very unstable especially in last few years when due to climate changes the rocks are more exposed to sun rays that cause melting of permanent snow fields and small glaciers in Hollental (Valley). The changes of temperature have also a very heavy impact on slope sliding and rock falling and weathering in general.

The mount by itself is a typical example of human`s ignorance and stupidity. The word „Zug“ means in German a Train... so Zugspitze is actually a Trainmount. That`s because you can take a train from Ga-Pa to get to Zugspitze plateau or a cableway to the summit where beer, food and souveniers are sold in a restaurant and shops...

There are some nice Via Ferratas in this area. The most famous one leads from Ga-Pa along the Valley Hollental to the top of Zugspitze.

The most adventurous trip here is climbing the ragged Alpine ridge between Zugspitze and Alpspitze called Jubilaumsgrat. It`s about 5km long, still up and down like on a Roller Coster. Some parts are protected with steel ropes some require climbing at II and III grade of UIAA.

I planned to make a really long trip with my friends starting in Ga-Pa going to

Zugspitze via Hollental and

climbing the Jubilaumsgrat in one day. Unfortunately we didn`t make it because of an engine trouble at friday`s night that caused at least 4 hour delay. We arrived in Ga-Pa on saturday early in the morning. We took a short sleep and left our „camp“ at about 7am and reached the top around noon. The whole route was crowded with hikers. After a very light lunch and a short nap we left the summit and headed for Alpspitze.

The weather was still absoulutely great but we felt more and more tired on account of our insufficient sleep at night. We had to decide whether to go on along the ridge with a big chance of reaching a bivi hut that could have been occupied by other climbers or to descend from the ridge to Reintal Valley.We`d chosen the second option and before it got dark we`d found a nice place for bivouac at the bottom of the Valley. Sunday`s way back to our car went without

any problem mostly on paved roads through forests along a nice mountain stream.

Summary:

Ga-Pa – Zugspitze (via Hollental) – Reintal (via Jubilausgrat)

Time: aprox. 14 hours

Pictures:

The view of Hollental Valley. The white spot at the end of the Valley is the Hollental Glacier.