Dachstein crossing

Day 1: Krippenstein - Simony Hut

From the Gjaidalm cable car station of the Krippensteinbahn, briefly descend on path no. 650 to the Gjaidalm and through typical Dachstein karst terrain with mountain pine lanes, going uphill and downhill (passing the turnoff to the Wiesberg house) into the Zirmgrube. From there – finally only uphill – to the Simony Hut. 2½ hrs.

Worthwhile alternative: Via the carrier path, no. 615, then 657, over the former Oberfeld barracks, then north under the Taubenkogel (no. 657) and past the ice lakes to the hut.

Day 2: Simony Hut - Steiner notch - Adamek Hut

From the Simony Hut on path no. 601 south to a nearby fork and keep right to a second fork. Again right and ascending below the Schöberl to the Hallstatt glacier, about 2400 m. Over the crevasse-low glacier (pole marking) east below the High Cross into a firn basin, about 2650 m. Now branch off right from the Dachstein trail to the southwest, not to the lowest notch (Simony notch), but to the rock ridge extending into the glacier on the left (difficult orientation in fog). Entrance at the foot of the striking rock ridge (about 2670 m). Following the protections (A–B) to the Steiner notch, 2720 m. 2 hrs.

West side first through an unsecured rock gully, then traverse left at the foot of the wall to a secured ledge. Up onto it (B–C) and great ledge traverse (A–B) above a slab zone. Finally a short descent to the glacier (possibly tricky edge crevasse, about 2630 m). On the glacier to the north along the walls, then in a wide left bend to its end, about 2300 m. Now on a trail trace, then on the marked path to the Adamek Hut, 2196 m. 1.5 hrs.

Day 3: Adamek Hut - Dachstein - Simony Hut - Krippenstein

From the Adamek Hut south to a nearby fork and ascend left below the High Schneeberg wall to the Great Gosau glacier, about 2400 m. With a left loop on the glacier (crevasses) around the Mitterspitz into the Upper Windlucke, 2746 m. 2 hrs. Now a long, secured, scenic route directly on the ridge and partly north-facing over ledges to the summit of the High Dachstein (large cross), 2995 m. 1 hr.

Two descent variants eastwards: shoulder and edge crevasse (identical in the upper part): From the cross east shortly to the protections and following them down steep, stepped rock in a gully area (occasional footholds) to the junction of the Mecklenburger Band.

- Shoulder ascent: keep right on the Mecklenburger Band out to the airy traverse to the foot of a steep ridge rise. Then left to a rock step, down over it (pins) and continue on the horizontal ridge, 2900 m. Then down the north side into a small notch and over the steep, blunt ridge back (partly hammered steps) down to the glacier, 2800 m, near the new Seethaler Hut, 2740 m.
- Edge crevasse: From the junction of the Mecklenburger Band further descent in the steep gully, then left around a rock bulge and over the edge crevasse (mostly aid rope) down to the uppermost glacier basin, about 2900 m.
Note: In snow conditions (crampons) the edge crevasse ascent is preferred, as in the shoulder ascent the north-facing slopes may be icy and the ropes on the "Mecklenburger Band" may be snow-covered, making the crossing extremely tricky. In late summer, when the edge crevasse is dangerously large to impassable, the shoulder ascent is better.

Now descend on the glacier until it flattens somewhat, about 2750 m, and keep left around the Lower Dachstein on the Simony Hut track (poles) over the Hallstatt glacier down to 2400 m. Continue on the marked path around the Schöberl down to the Simony Hut. 2 hrs.

Return as on the first day back to Krippenstein, 2 hrs. Last mountain cable car from Gjaidalm to Krippenstein in summer (July to mid-September) at 18:45.

Variant: Depending on the weather, the Dachstein can also be crossed in the opposite direction on day 2 (ascent from the east, descent to the west). Return to the Simony Hut on day 3 then either via the Steiner notch or path no. 650 via the Hoßwand notch and the High Trog.