Innere Sommerwand

The Innere Sommerwand (3122 m) is the classic summit for a tour week at the Franz-Senn-Hütte: The ascent over the gently rising, crevasse-scarce Sommerwandferner is neither long nor difficult, and from the summit you overlook the entire tour area from the Ruderhofspitze over the Östliche Seespitze to the Lüsener Fernerkogel. Only the finale is challenging – the summit ridge is narrow and exposed and requires surefootedness and a head for heights. From the hut initially flat through the valley floor, then over a short steep section and again on flatter terrain southwards under the Gschwezgrat. At about 2400 m turn right into the Stiergschwez and over a gentle ridge below the elongated Sommerwände towards the southwest. Over knolls and hollows to the silted-up glacier lake (Sommerwandsee) and over the ridge behind it to the beginning of the Sommerwandferner. The glacier is divided into two lobes; the route leads over its western part, on the ascent side to the right of the distinctive rock head, in moderately steep terrain upwards. At last it gets steeper: ski depot at around 3000 m, below the Kräulscharte. A steel cable leads to the notch. Steps are partially drilled in. From the notch over the ridge northwards to the summit, about 20 minutes. The ridge is narrow and exposed and partly secured with bolts; easy climbing (I–II). In winter the bolts can be partially snowed in. Descent: Along the ascent route over the Sommerwandferner and through the Stiergschwez to the hut. In safe conditions, a variant directly under the north ridge of the Vordere Sommerwand.