Große Kinigat

The ski tour to the European Cross on the Große Kinigat is one of the classics on the Carnic ridge. Those who are setting eyes on the forbidding north face from the valley town of Kartitsch for the first time would hardly believe that this mountain is totally climbable in the winter, not to mention can be tackled with those popular snowboards. Three different valleys proceed to the foot of the Kinigat. In winter the Schön- and Erschbaumertal are the climbs of choice.

The starting point for our ski tour is on the Kartitscher Sattel (1525 m). There are a few car parking options available at an Alpine inn. Start initially via the cross-country slope and head for Obertilliach, before you exit this and dive into the shaded fosses of the Schöntal. After around 1 ½ hours you get to Schöntalsee and follow the ski track via a steep slope and later via gentle trough terrain to Weitenstall. A rocky corner which descends slightly is crossed before we make our way to Standschützen- Hütte. Just above this after some 3 hours we come to Filmoor Höhe, where the view to the rocky south side of the Kinigat opens up. A steep slope crossing follows to an access area with a narrow ramp (ski storage area), which breaks through the yellow precipices. This crossing should only be done when conditions are absolutely safe. The aforementioned ramp now provides the ascent to the summit plateau and is tackled more or less by „trudging“. Surefootedness is required here, in particular when the steel cable has been snowed up. Afterwards via the short summit slope in just a few minutes, with or without skis, up to the highest point. Crossing the narrow summit ramp should only be carried out by absolute experts!