Rosskogel 5.7.2006

The old farmer of the farm where I have found accomodation (who is Mayor of the village of Sellrain) goes hunting this morning. In his All terrain vehicle I may join him up to the forest limit at about 1800 m,  making the ascent to Rosskogel (2.646 m) much shorter. Descent via Krimpenbachalm and Tiefental back to Sellrain/Tauegert.

Getting up at 4 a.m. - first morning light over Innsbruck We start at 4.30 a.m.

At the forest limit, before sunrise.

Diffuse morning light over Stubaier Alps

Behind Innsbruck´s Northern Range it is getting lighter ...

First morning sun on Stubaier Alps

Arriving on the ridge, this is my designation: Rosskogel summit.

Red morning light behind Koegele (2.195 m)

View from Rosskogel - eastern ridge in northwestern direction to Karwendel, in the foreground to the right Koegele. Click into the picture for a larger version

Karwendel in morning light

Zooming in to Stubaier Alpen. The highest summit in this section is Grubenwand (3.173 m). The small spike to the right before the summit is Zischgeles, projecting before it and hardly to be seen.

Koegele with Karwendel behind, in the dale on the right edge of the picture is Innsbruck.

Near the next fork. View to Stubaier Alps

From the slopes of Rosskogel you have a stunning view into the Luesens valley with the Luesens glacier. Directly behind the glacier is Rinnenspitzer (3.000 m), Berglas Spitze (3.123 m) Hinterer Brunnenkogel (3.325 m), to the right of the glacier the prominent summit is Lisenser Fernerkogel (3.298 m). On the horizon more distant summits, I think they must be Ruderhofspitze (3.474 m) and Schrankogel (3.497 m).

Just a little bit more of the ascent ...

but now the summit is near. In the backgrond Kalkkoegel

The sun is shining a bit lighter now.

Once more Luesens valley

Locals ...

On the west ridge, shortly before the summit. View to northwest  to Peider Spitze (2.808 m) and to Schlosskoepfe (2.660 m)

The cross is on the eastern summit of Rosskogel

Panoramic view from western summit of Rosskogel (2.646 m). Click into the picture for a larger version.

View in nothern direction to Zugspitze (2.962 m), Germany´s highest mountain

Zooming in on Grubenwand, with Zischgeles in front. The summit is projecting into the eastern escarpments of Grubenwand.

Zooming in on Luesenser glacier and to Luesenser Fernerspitze (right)

Alpine Mouse-ear (Cerastium alpinum)

Zooming in to the valley: The river Inn is reflecting in the sun, so it can be seen despite the heavy dust.

"Moss like" saxifrage (Saxifraga bryoides) on the summit of Rosskogels

"Moss like" saxifrage and Alpine Mouse-ear.

Once more Luesens valley

Part of the panorama of the western Stubaier Alps, as seen from Rosskogel (2.646 m). Click into the pictue for a larger version.

Zooming in to Zugspitze (2.962 m). I suppose the light spot to be a reflection in the windows of the summit station of the cable car.

Luesens valley

Devils claws on half way down to Krimpenbachalm

 ... and the inevitable Alpine roses.

The summit of Rosskogel is hidden by a thermic cloud even now.

Large slopes covered with flowering Alpine roses.

Gletscher - Gaemswurz (Doronicum glaciale)

Making Rosskogel living up to its name ("Ross" = english "horse") ...

Crowfoot - Eisenhutblaettriger Hahnenfusz (Ranunculus aconitifolius)

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) near Krimpenbachalm

Rosskogel

Near Krimpenbachalm

Einkoepfiges Ferkelkraut (Hypochoeris uniflora)

Small white orchid (Pseudorchis albida)

Mountain meadow beneath Krimpenbachalm, with Rosskogel in the background

Arnika, Ferkelkraut and ...

Fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea)

Back at the forest limit: Alpine Hawkweed (Hieracium alpinum)

Bearded bellflower (Campanula barbata)

Deep down in the dale named Tiefental near the beck this Wood Cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum)

Back in my room at 11 a.m., I have a shower and go for working till 9 p.m.; in the evening I´m sitting on my balcony and admire Innsbruck´s sea of lights.

6.7.2006, on the drive home, near Kematen: Last greetings from Hohe Munde.

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