Selbhorn, Mountain summit in Berchtesgaden Alps, Austria.
Selbhorn is the highest summit of the Steinernes Meer in the Berchtesgaden Alps, reaching 2,655 m and lying entirely in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Seen from the south it rises as a steep rock dome; from the plateau of the Steinernes Meer a long rock ridge runs toward the Hochbrunnsulzenscharte, resembling the scaly back of a huge lizard. A summit cross crowns the lower south summit at 2,642 m, and a second, later-built cross stands on the main summit.
The sources document no first-ascent record for the Selbhorn; the 1907 claim of Johann Moßhammer and Johann Herzog is not supported. The mountain lies entirely in Austria, within the Steinernes Meer, and its south summit at 2,642 m carries a summit cross, with a second cross later erected on the main summit at 2,655 m.
The name Selbhorn distinguishes the main summit from the slightly lower south summit at 2,642 m, which carries a summit cross; a second cross was built later on the true highest point. The neighbouring Schönfeldspitze (2,653 m) is better known than the Selbhorn itself.
The quickest route starts from Maria Alm via the Luegscharte, a 5–6 hour ascent with scrambling of UIAA grade I difficulty. The Hochbrunnsulzen notch is crossed on traverses of the Steinernes Meer from the Hochkönig. The southern summit carries a summit cross at 2,642 m, the main summit a second one built later.
The summit sits close to the Austrian-German border, offering views into both countries from the top. On clear days, climbers can see far across the Berchtesgaden region and toward the German side.
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