Eastern Simonyspitze

The Essener and Rostocker Hut is the starting point for our (in good weather conditions) easy high alpine route. We follow the Maurerbach into the upper Maurertal. The masses of water from the surrounding glaciers roar as they flow, announcing the melting ice water. A signpost directs us from the stream to the left towards the mountain. After a few steps, we are already on the serpentine ascent leading to a lovely viewpoint knoll with two or three small ponds. A brief rest and a glance towards the hut and Simonysee, then the path continues uphill to the Dellacher Keesflecken (2636m, Kees = glacier term used in the Eastern Alps until the 19th century), where we finally leave the still green landscape and enter the rocky fields. A few minutes later the view opens onto the glacier of the western Simonyspitze, crisscrossed with crevasses. However, we follow the rocky ridge up towards the eastern summit and reach a first Keesfleck, above which a rock band stretches northward. On the normal ascent one follows the rocky ridge up, with the snow cover determining how well and whether an entry into the rock sections of this rock band is possible. On this day, however, due to fresh snow below the rock band, we head about 150m north before finding a suitable spot for the climbing start. The climbing is mostly grade two difficulty, so we ascend without a rope. At the end of the rock band, the ice field here is quite steep, so crampons have to be put on. Still without rope and protection, we continue to the next rock band on less steep terrain. The second and last climbing section is easier and brings us up to the glacier dome near the summit ridge. The view and panorama are phenomenal. We have the summit to ourselves while watching one rope team after another march towards Großvenediger.