Kristallwand, Alpine summit in Hohe Tauern, Austria.
Kristallwand is an alpine summit in the Venediger Group rising to 3,310 meters (10,860 feet) and characterized by steep rock faces and glaciers. The northern side displays particularly prominent ice and rock formations that define the mountain's appearance.
The first route to the summit was established by Albert Santner and Willi Trost in 1933, marking a milestone in Austrian mountaineering. Decades later, the Wurzer brothers developed additional technical routes that expanded climbing possibilities on this peak.
The mountain, positioned within Hohe Tauern National Park, represents the traditional mountaineering heritage of the Eastern Alps region of Tyrol.
Access is through Matrei in Osttirol heading toward Venedigerhaus and then to Neue Prager Huette, which serves as the base camp. Climbers should have solid alpine experience and be ready for changing conditions at this elevation.
The peak sits within the Hohe Tauern National Park and offers views of multiple glaciers and the expansive high alpine terrain that surrounds it. This position makes it an observation point where the layered geography of the mountain range becomes particularly visible.
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