Gimpel

The Gimpel is a limestone peak in the Tannheim Mountains, a branch of the Allgäu Alps. It stands at 2 173 m and takes its name from the Gimpelalpe alp in a hollow of Celtic origin. The mountain is linked by the Judenscharte arête to the Rote Flüh and the Schäfer, also called the ‘Little Gimpel’. Wetterstein limestone forms the rock of the Gimpel and its neighbours. Climbers visit the Gimpel for routes that range from alpine classics to modern sport climbs. The West Arête was first climbed in 1896 by J. Bachschmid and E. Christa on a grade III+ route. In 1992 Baldo Pazzaglia made the first ascent of Primavera, a top-sport climb graded IX−. The normal route up the South Face and East Arête includes sections graded II. In 1990 Toni Freudig discovered a cave system called the Gimpel Labyrinth in the South Face. Five huts serve walkers and climbers around the Gimpel. The Tannheimer Hut and the Gimpelhaus both lie on routes from Nesselwängle. The Otto Mayr Hut and Füssener Hut can be reached from Musau, while the Schneetalalm is reached from Höfen. The Gimpelalm serves as the mountain rescue base and is also accessible from Nesselwängle.