Circular route over the Eastern Knotenspitze in the immediate vicinity of the Franz-Senn-Hütte

From Seduck (1472 m) on the former road (officially closed to traffic after the landslides in 2022) to the Oberisshütte (1745 m). Passing this, we continue a bit along the summer road until we reach the junction of the summer path and winter path. We ascend via the winter path, which leads above the Alpeiner stream with a comfortable incline to the Franz-Senn-Hütte. After about 2 to 2.5 hours, we reach the shelter. Since the Franz Senn Hütte is open from mid-February, a visit to the hosts is recommended. From the shelter, the ski tour now leads in a southern or southeastern direction over extensive cirques and plateaus in a left-right-left curve uphill. From about 2500 m, the terrain steepens and over a ramp and a short crossing, we reach the basin of the remaining Knotenspitzferner glacier. Across this small glacier basin, first gently uphill until we reach a gully that steepens sharply. In good snow conditions, ski are kept on, ascending in some hairpin turns up to the rocks. Due to the steepness, from about 3000 m on the skis must be carried. We leave the main summit at 3100 m to the left and finally reach the somewhat lower south summit of the Eastern Knotenspitze (3082 m) without difficulty. From the summit, we look east into the Gugeligen Ferner below (remnant glacier). A few meters back from the summit to the north, a very steep gully descends to the glacier to the east. It is better to avoid descending between the rocks because the gully is initially very narrow and about 50° - 55° steep. It is more pleasant to ski down the first few meters with skis on. After overcoming this steep section, a descent to the Gugeligen Ferner is possible. At the end of the basin, to the left or west of the Schrimmenkopf, a prominent steep gully oriented south ascends. In a left curve, we approach this steep gully and reach the notch after about 180 vertical meters. To enter the extensive cirque of the "Unnützes Grübl," the skis must be carried. A steep short descent into the beginning cirque must be overcome on foot. After this final section, a wide and nicely undulated cirque lies ahead, with a longer slope in the middle part that is somewhat steeper, where avalanche conditions must definitely be considered. From the so-called "Kuhgschwez," depending on snow conditions, it goes down between the green alders into the valley floor to the Oberisshütte (1745 m), where we cross over to the ascent route. Finally, the descent leads back to Seduck (1472 m).