Sonklarspitze

Overview

The 4th highest mountain in the Stubai alps (after the Zuckerhütl, the Schrankogel, and the Ruderhofspitze).
It is located on the ridge leading southward from the Wilder Pfaff between two glaciers (Triebenkarlasferner in the west and Übeltalferner in the east).
Its summit is covered with snow and very flat. Some 100 m northwards (3449 m) is a cross fixed on solid ground. I assume that this mountain will loose hight in the next decades. Possibly the cross will sign the summit soon.

Getting There

From the austrian side:
The Müller hut and the Becher hut are easily reached from Austria, e.g. from the Nürnberger Hütte:
The City of Innsbruck is immediately North of the Stubai Alps, from here you can travel by bus to the Stubai Valley, which has several stops down the valley, one of which is at Ranalt where the route begins. You could travel by car from Innsbruck, towards the Brenner Pass and over the impressive Europa Bridge, but you have to pay a tax for the road. Turn off the Autobahn at the junction for the Stubai valley. Follow the only road up the valley until you reach Ranalt, you can park just beyond Ranalt, where the path to the Nurnberger hut starts. From here follow the well marked paths up to the Nurnberger Hut, there are estimated times of journey on the signposts which are very accurate. It is also possible to climb the mountain from the Italian side (I coppied that from madmountaineer on the Wilder Freiger site - thank you)

The mountain is also reached from the Siegerlandhütte (from the Winachtal, which is reached from Sölden in the Ötztal.

From the italian side:
From Ridnaun (I have - yet - no further information on this)

Red Tape

No fees, no permissions. Highways in Italy and Austria can be used only when a fee is paid. An *additional* fee has to be paid for the Brenner-Autobahn from Innsbruck to Brenner).
Since the summit (and parts of the trail) belong to the italian/austrian border, a passport should be taken along (occasionally italian customs officers are met).

When To Climb

Summer: (May) June - September

Camping

The whole area is a national park which prohibits camping, possibly bivouaking is allowed. Sleeping is of course possible in the surrounding huts.
Camping might be possible in Volderau (some kilometers from Neustift im Stubaital).

Mountain Conditions

Mountain conditions are available from the huts in the vicinity.

Winter climbing: Propability of avalanges can been found here: Lawinenwarndienst - Österreich

Information of alpine weather is found here: Wetter

Huts in the vicinity

Müllerhütte: 3143 m, Tel.: +(I) 337 / 451384 (open 1. July - 15. Sept.)
They have a homepage: Müllerhütte

Becherhaus: 3190 m, Tel.: +(I) 472 / 66377 (open July - Sept.)
They have a homepage: Becherhaus

Siegerlandhütte: 2710 m, Tel.: +(A) 5254 / 2142 (open June - Sept.)

Guides and Maps

The recommended guide is the "Alpenvereinsführer" "Stubaier Alpen - alpin" by Walter Klier (Bergverlag Rother)

A detailed map is available from the Alpenverein (Hochstubai - 31/1 1: 25000)
A good map showing the Stubai alps in complete as well as parts of the Zillertaler alps is sold by freytag & berndt (Innsbruck Stubai - Sellrain Brenner 1:50000, WK241).

First Ascent - Historical Facts

R. Gutberlet, A Tanzer, S. Holzmann, 5.8.1869.
The mountain is named after Carl von Sonklar, a surveyor in the Imperial and Royal monarchy

Images

View Sonklarspitze Image Gallery - 21 Images