Watzespitze from the Pitztal

The first part of the ascent takes us along the summer trail through a forest that is steep in places. When there is little snow or late in the spring, you have to carry your skis here. After approx. 400 metres we reach open ski terrain below the Plangeroßalm at approx. 2000 m above sea level. A slight ascent leads to a steep step, which we either overcome on the far left or along the summer path. Above the steep step, we keep to the left and reach the Plangeroßferner after a further 400 metres of terrain. The route continues flat to the first steep upswing of the hanging glacier. Late in the spring, this area may already have short patches of bare ice. After a short, flat basin, we reach an approx. 35° - 40° steep gully next to the upper part of the hanging glacier, which leads us to the uppermost glacier basin. Watch out for crevasses! Via another steep gully we reach the ski depot on the yoke between the south and north summits.

Now the climbing begins on the summit ridge. First a few metres on the west side over boulders, then switching to the east side (slab UIAA II). Now a good 60-70m in the flank, no problem with treading snow - there are always some good cairns emerging from the snow. Then directly up to the ridge. More climbing sections up to UIAA II. The last few metres to the summit are not difficult. Descent as ascent. In poor conditions, you can also abseil the first few metres from the ski depot (drilled abseil stand + fixed head slings).