Mittlerer Seelenkogel

Overview

The Mittlerer Seelenkogel is located in the main ridge area of the ötztaler Alps. The mountain is located in a part of the Main ridge that is called the Gurgler ridge. Named after the villages in the valley. This ridge is bordered by the Hochwilde and the Timmelsjoch road.

Most of the more famous mountains of the Main ridge are located on the border between Austria and Italy. Not the Mittlerer Seelenkogel, although the border is close to the summit.

As the name already tells, this mountain is situated between the Vorderer and the Hinterer Seelenkogel. Especially the Hinterer Seelenkogel is often climbed. This because of the easy and short acces from the Italian side. The mountain is pretty often climbed in both summer and winter. Particulair the Langtalereck Hut is a nice mountain hut to stay when you're planning to climb the Seelenkogels.
The normal route is not very difficult, which make the climb enjoyable for many mountaineers. The summit offers you a great view
towards the ötztaler Alps.

Getting There

In general:

# From Austria (Innvalley): On the Inntalautobahn A12 take the driveway Ötztal. All the way through the Ötztal B186 to Obergurgl (about 50km).
# From Italy (Meran): take road to the Passeier Valley (SS44). Follow it untill St. Leonard. There take the Timmelsjoch road (SS44 BIS) and cross the border. Descent on the Austrian side and take the driveway to Obergurgl (L15). (Tol Road, see this page)

To the Langtalereck Hut:

The way to the Langtalereck Hut is pretty shot. You can even shorten the way by using one of the cable car's (Gaisberg). Normaly it will take you about 1-2 hours to reach the Hut, depending on using the cable car.

Routes

Normal route from the Langtalereck Hut:

The easiest way to get to the summit of the Mittlerer Seelenkogel is over the northwest flank/ridge. From the Hut take the path that leeds you to the Seelenglacier. There you have a few options, but most people take the easy north ridge. Cross the Seelenglacier to the lowest point of the north ridge and follow the easy and short ridge to the summit.

Alpine climbing grade for the normal route: L+/F+

Normally the climb will take you about 3-4 hours.

Alternatives:

# West ridge, rocky ridge with some easy climbing. Be aware of loose rock!
# Northwest flank, short ice climb.
# Southeast ridge, normal way from Italy.
# East flank (Wasserfall glacier), long difficult glacier ascent.

For more information see this guidebook.

Maps and Guidebook

Maps:

# Ötztaler Alpen, Gurgl, Alpenvereinskarte 30/1
1:25000
# Inneres Ötztal-Gurgler Tal - Venter Tal - Pitztal, Kompass Map WK042
1:25.000
# Ötztaler Alpen, Kompass Map WK43
1:50000

Guidebook:

# Walter Klier, Ötztaler Alpen. Alpenvereinsführer. 14th ed. Munich 2006.
ISBN 978-3-7633-1123-1

External Links

# Digital map:
www.austrianmap.at

# The village Obergurgl:
www.obergurgl.com

# Mountain Huts around the Seelenkogels:
www.obergurgl.com

# Weather in Austria:
www.oeav.at

# Avalance bulletin Tirol:
www.lawine.at

# Timmelsjoch road:
www.timmelsjoch-hochalpenstrasse.at

# Time Tabel bus:
www.postbus.at

# Public Transport (train):
www.oebb.at

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Images

View Mittlerer Seelenkogel Image Gallery - 11 Images