Wildalmkirchl, Mountain summit in Salzburg, Austria.
Wildalmkirchl is a 2,578 m rocky peak on the southern edge of the Steinernes Meer in Salzburg, northeast of Maria Alm. From several directions its form resembles a church with roof and tower, which gives it its name. All approaches involve climbing; the easiest route from the Wildalmkirchl bothy crosses the exposed Kirchdachgrat arête to the summit block.
The name comes from Wildalm, a remote high valley to the north, combined with 'kirchl' because the mountain's shape resembles a church. This naming reflects how mountain slopes were compared to familiar structures in earlier times.
The name pairs the Wildalm, a remote high valley north of the peak in the Steinernes Meer, with "Kirchl" for the church-like shape of the rock, whose roof and tower are seen from various standpoints. The bothy at 2,457 m, northeast of the summit, has eight sleeping places and is open.
Reaching Wildalmkirchl requires technical climbing skills, particularly across the exposed Kirchdachgrat arête leading to the summit block. A shelter hut at 2,457 meters northeast of the peak offers basic refuge with eight sleeping spots for mountain expeditions.
The name's second element comes from the peak's shape: from various standpoints it resembles a church with roof and tower, and the climbing route crosses the "Kirchdachgrat", the ridge of the church roof. The Wildalmkirchl-Biwakschachtel, an open shelter with 8 sleeping places, stands at 2,457 m northeast of the summit.
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