BergeSeen Trail D3: Hofpürglhütte - Adamekhütte

Description:
Opened in 1905 by the Linz Alpine Club Section, the Linzer Steig is the most difficult section of the alpine variant through the Dachstein Mountains.

It leads into the forefield of the Kleiner Gosaugletscher, which nestles below the 2,948-meter Torstein, the mightiest of all Dachstein satellites. The tangled route is well secured in several places with iron pegs and steel ropes - for example, in the Reißgangsattel or on the rugged rock cliff of the Torsteineck. The biggest surprise, however, is the 2,480 m high Eiskarlspitz. Immediately after crossing the Oberen Hochkesseleck, it rises out of the rubble like a rock rocket - and only as you pass by does it reveal itself to be a multi-peaked rocky ridge.

Directions:
From the Hofpürglhütte you go with the marking number 614/617 into the chute-filled "Kessel" under the Bischofsmütze, where the route branches off to the Steiglpass.

Continue straight on and at the foot of the Gosaustein over the "Rote Rinne" and a small hill to the east, towards the Torstein. High above the Filzmooser Hofalm you reach there the flat, green grounds of the Rinderfeld (1.669 m). Between boulders, the Linzer Steig branches off to the left there. It leads up into the Reißgangschlucht (danger of falling rocks!). Through the right, partly stepped and partly platy rock flank (belays) you reach the Reißgangsattel (1,952 m). Keeping to the right in hairpin bends upwards, turn left around an edge (steel rope) and next to the rock hollow of the Unterer Hochkessel over slabs into the wide saddle between the Reißgangkogel (2,015 m) and the Hochkesseleck. Soon after, turn left onto an airy ribbon (steel cable) that leads through a rock wall onto the ridge of Niederer Hochkesseleck (2,208 m). Continue briefly on the ridge, then on the path, which is piled up in places, through a wall step next to the Oberen Hochkessel, over secured rock slabs and in switchbacks to the Hohe Hochkesseleck (2,260 m).

Beyond you cross diagonally through the northern flank of the massive Hochkesselkopf into the cirque below the Eiskarlspitz (in the middle of it lies a large boulder). There you hike fairly level over cart fields, scree and mostly patches of snow to a wall step, over which you descend with the help of iron pins and steel ropes.

Continue through the cirque to the turnoff in the direction of Windlegerscharte and pass a little to the left under the Kleiner Gosaugletscher. The rock structure below the Torsteineck (2,256 m) is climbed by means of iron pins and steel ropes, then you hike through the platy rocky terrain around the Hohe Schneebergwand and to the moraine ridge below the Großer Gosaugletscher. Descend to the left, over steep rock abraded by the ice and through rubble to the Adamek Hut (2,196 m), which has long been visible. There you will meet the alpine variant coming up from the Gosauseen. 5:30 h

Safety guidelines:

•  In alpine terrain, pay attention to the danger of falling rocks.


• Until early summer you can encounter steep snowfields or firn gullies - especially in icy conditions there is then an acute danger of falling and thus of death!


• Due to storm damage, forestry work or construction work, individual sections of the trail may be temporarily difficult or impossible to pass.


• Cows on the alp are often curious. Because they are mother cows, they develop a strong drive to protect their calves. Therefore, move quietly on cow pastures, keep at least 20 m distance to the animals and do not stroke calves under any circumstances! In case of threatening gestures (pawing, stamping) slowly move away backwards (do not turn your back). Dogs on a leash, they must not bark at cows or even chase them. In the event of an attack, it is essential to let them off the leash.

Equipment:
For all stages you will need hiking or mountain boots with a treaded rubber sole as well as wind- and rainproof clothing.

A change of clothes and a small first-aid kit should also be in your backpack. How much food you pack depends on the number of stops you make. In any case, you should take enough to drink. Telescopic poles are especially helpful when going downhill.

Additional information:
Text kindly provided by the publisher KOMPASS-Verlag and Wolfgang Heitzmann.

Further information at trail.salzkammergut.at