Kraspesspitze (2954m) and Weitkarspitze (2947m) through west couloirs from Kühtai to Haggen
Technical difficulty: 7/10
Fitness: 7/10
Objective danger: 7/10
Landscape: 9/10
Busy: 4/10
This is the “proper” Kühtai-to-Sellrain classic: climb from Kühtai into the high basin, tag Kraspesspitze, then keep the day going with the Weitkarspitze add-on before dropping all the way to Haggen. Really nice day out on a firn day.
Starting point: Kühtai
Ending point: Haggen
Ascend: 1250-1600vm / 4-5h
Exposition: steep skiing South-west to south-east
Route:
Start from Kühtai into Finstertal, first up to the dam wall, then on the left-hand side of the lake. At the end of the lake continue straight north into the bowl below the north couloir of Kraspesspitz. The north couloir is usually fallen out in the spring and in the early morning provides a safe passage on foot towards the summit of Kraspessspitz (2954m). After the couloir, you get out on the south-western flank and can continue on skis again to the summit.
Down from Kraspesspitz:
Ski the south-west face of the mountain down into Weitkar bowl, as far as your heart desires.
Up to Weitkarspitze (2947m):
Skin up again and start ascending eastwards towards. A steep but otherwise relatively easy slope leads you to the summit of Weitkarspitze.
Descent to Haggen:
For firn conditions, the best descent from the summit is through the south-east face down into the valley. Once in the valley, we turn north and follow the Kraspes valley out in the direction of Haggen. There are a lot of steep avalanches slopes around the valley, so plan well and come here only when the conditions are safe. The skiing itself is technically non-difficult, apart from the waterfall at the and of the valley before it broadens into Haggen. We have to ski over the river here and in low-snow conditions, it can be quite tricky. Don’t hang around here unnecessarily, efficiency is your friend.
In the end, a broad mouth of the valley leads us directly into the village of Haggen.
Photos by @the.running.nomad, @bennibru and @innsbruckalps
