Brandenburger Haus from Vent

Technical difficulty: 3/10
Fitness: 6/10
Objective danger: 3/10
Landscape: 10/10
Busy: 6/10

Winter approach to the Brandenburger Haus from Vent.

Starting point: Vent 
Ending point: Brandenburger Haus
Ascend: 1400vm / 4h
Exposition: mostly south-east to south-west

Route:

From Vent we start across the meadows and over the suspension bridge to Rofen. From there we continue to the material cable car of the Vernagt Hut and then follow the impressive Rofen Gorge on a trail that climbs gently at first and then more steeply up to the Hochjoch Hospiz (open in the spring).

From there we ascend the slope in steep switchbacks; after about 15 minutes the trail branches off to the left, passing the wildly crevassed tongue of the Kesselwand glacier. The final section of the route leads us across the Kesselwand glacier (may need to rope up depending on the conditions) to the Brandenburger Haus.

Winterraum:

From late September through early June, hut has an unstaffed winter room open in the heart of the main building. It is freely accessible (no key needed) and provides essential shelter when the main hut is in winter mode. 

Inside you’ll find 10 cosy sleeping spots with blankets, a stove for cooking and heating, solar-powered lighting, basic cooking gear, and a dry toilet — everything you need for a safe stopover on planned tours or in unexpected weather. 

A small nightly fee is paid on the honour system — just drop cash in the winter room’s box or transfer it later. Please remember: leave the hut tidy and take all your trash back down with you.

Up to date information here (German).

Photos by @the.running.nomad and @annikasuess