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Ski Touring
· Ötztal
Hinterer Seelenkogel from Rotmoostal
Ötztal Verified partner
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Descent from the summit of the Hinterer Seelenkogel 3470mPhoto: Ötztal
High-alpine crossing, where you can choose between two magnificent descent options.
The route to the Hinterer Seelenkogel 3470m from the Rotmoostal is a high-alpine crossing, where you can choose between two magnificent descent options during planning. The descent along the ascent track is no less spectacular and equally demanding in ski technique as the variant over the crevassed Wasserfallferner. Both descent options require very secure avalanche conditions from the outset.
Ascent: 4.5 h
Descent: 1 h
Author’s recommendation
Ötztal Verified partner
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
NederhütteSchönwies hut
Safety information
Avalanche Danger Scale
1 (LOW)
An avalanche release is only possible with a heavy additional load on very few, extreme steep slopes. No spontaneous avalanches (so-called slides) are expected. Generally safe conditions.
2 (MODERATE)
An avalanche release is likely on heavy additional load mainly on the specified steep slopes. Larger avalanches are not expected. The snow cover is generally well consolidated, except on some steep slopes. Cautious route choice on the specified steep slopes and slope exposures.
3 (CONSIDERABLE)
An avalanche release is already likely with a slight additional load mainly on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally, some medium, sporadically also large avalanches are possible spontaneously. The snow cover on many steep slopes is only moderately to poorly consolidated. Experience in avalanche assessment is necessary. Avoid specified steep slopes and slope exposures if possible.
4 (HIGH)
An avalanche release is already possible with a slight additional load mainly on the specified steep slopes. Occasionally, many medium, several large avalanches occur. On many steep slopes, the snow cover is only weakly consolidated. When choosing routes, limit yourself to moderately steep terrain and observe avalanche run-out zones. Much experience in avalanche assessment is necessary.
5 (VERY HIGH)
Numerous large avalanches are expected spontaneously, also in moderately steep terrain. At this warning level, a safe operation in ski areas is no longer possible. The snow cover is generally weakly consolidated and unstable. Avoid tours.
See also at lawine.tirol.gv.at
Tips and suggestions
Ski Touring Rules
- Observe the applicable regulations for all activities in nature and when choosing tours (e.g., wildlife protection areas, hunting restricted zones, reforestation areas, information boards, etc.)
- Respect quiet zones for wildlife and avoid feeding areas and loud noise
- Cross forest areas in winter preferably only on approved paths and routes; animals react very panic-stricken to untraceable noise.
- Recognize the habitats of wild animals, avoid animals wherever possible. Observe wild animals only from a distance. Dogs must be kept on a leash; it is absolutely irresponsible to let dogs run free in the winter emergency period in the forest.
- Proper time planning: start early enough and return before dark. In spring, you should be back at the hut by noon (avalanche danger)
- Never ski through reforestation and young growth areas.
Ötztal Tourism assumes no liability for the tours listed and recommends bringing a mountain guide. Glacier crossings are only possible with a rope and in a group.
Before starting a tour, you should inform the valley about the destination and expected return time. The carrying of an avalanche transceiver is strongly recommended.
More info about ski touring in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/skitouren
Roadbook
The route to the Hinterer Seelenkogel 3470m from the Rotmoostal is a high-alpine crossing, where you can choose between two magnificent descent options during planning. The descent along the ascent track is no less spectacular and equally demanding in ski technique as the variant over the crevassed Wasserfallferner. Both descent options require very secure avalanche conditions from the outset. What adds to the danger on the descent over the Wasserfallferner is the large crevasse hazard, which is why you must strictly adhere to the designated route, consistently in the far western part of the glacier. Additionally, there is a more than 40° steep and rock-strewn passage at the end of the glacier tongue down to the valley floor of the Rotmoostal. Therefore, if you choose this descent route, not only should very secure avalanche conditions prevail, but the snow conditions must also be worthwhile, so that choosing this objectively more dangerous route can actually be justified. But even on the descent in the ascent area, you are challenged by steep sections over 40° in ski technique. However, the crevasse danger is only to be rated as low here. Nevertheless, very secure avalanche conditions are also needed in this area. If you start the ascent in Obergurgl at the valley station of the Hohe Mut Bahn 1920m, you must plan about 4.5 hours of pure ascent time over approximately 10.5 kilometers distance and about 1560 meters of elevation gain. If favorable snow and avalanche conditions allow, with the help of the Hohe Mut Bahn I+II, you can reduce the ascent time by 1.5 hours, the elevation meters to be covered by 500, and the distance kilometers by almost half. However, the long traverse of the 35° to 40° steep west slopes at the Hohe Mut down into the Rotmoostal is only recommended in the morning with perfectly hard melt-freeze crust conditions. At Pt. 2400m, you then start the actual ascent up to the Rotmoosjoch 3055m. At the Rotmoosjoch 3055m, you switch to the South Tyrolean side of the Ötztal main ridge and ascend the more than 40° steep Planferner. At its upper end, you reach the flat, upper glacier plateau of the Wasserfallferner. On the ascent there, crampons are sufficient with good firn conditions but are highly recommended. Under less favorable, i.e., persistently hard snow conditions, you should also carry crampons and/or an ice axe. As can be seen from the photos, there can even be bare ice spots in the steepest passage. The last meters in the summit area present hardly any problem. Under favorable conditions, you can ascend to the highest point with skis strapped on. This route, together with the possible descent variant over the Wasserfallferner, should be reserved for alpinists who are experienced and perfect in ski mountaineering.
Schönwies hut
Public transport
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal railway station. The final station or exit point is the ÖTZTAL station. Then you can travel conveniently and quickly by public bus service or local taxis through the entire valley to your desired destination! The current bus timetable is available at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at
Directions
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is located in western Austria in the state of TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn Valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your journey by car, plan the optimal route from your home location directly online with the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps
Parking
The following parking options are available in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl:
- Parking lot village center Obergurgl (before the church turn right down, behind the multipurpose building where the information office is also located) parking meter with coin insertion
- Parking lot village entrance – valley station Festkoglbahn, free – no overnight parking
- Parking lot Hochgurglbahn valley station, free – no overnight parking
- Parking lot Top Mountain Crosspoint, free
- Parking lot Hochgurgl, free (very small parking lot)
Coordinates
Equipment
Recommended Ski Touring Equipment
The "normal ski touring equipment" consists of touring skis with touring bindings, telescopic poles, climbing skins, crampons, digital avalanche transceiver, avalanche shovel, avalanche probe, first aid kit, and a mobile phone. A "complete glacier equipment" consists of harnesses, two differently long prusik loops or ascenders, two HMS carabiners, ice axe, crampons, and a rope. A backpack with appropriate contents must be carried, including change of clothing, sun protection, cold protection, provisions, and enough to drink! For hut overnight stays, do not forget to bring hygiene articles and a hut sleeping bag!
DIFFICULTY RATINGS
- Easy: Easy, short to moderately long tours with ascents that do not exceed 25° or only briefly.
- Medium: Medium difficulty, moderately long to long tours with ascents that do not exceed 35° or only briefly.
- Difficult: Difficult, long to very long tours with ascents that reach 40° or more, and climbing sections up to grade II difficulty (UIAA).
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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