Westliche Seespitze

The Westliche Seespitze is a mountain in the Stubai Alps of western Austria’s Tirol. It stands 3,355 metres above sea level, 61 metres lower than its neighbour the Östliche Seespitze and 119 metres lower than the Ruderhofspitze to the south. The peak belongs to the Alpeiner group and is surrounded on all sides by glaciers. Below its southern flank lies the Hochmoosferner, to the west the Alpeiner Ferner, and to the northeast the Seespitzferner. Its first ascent was made on 29 July 1895 by Karl and Rosa Kirschbaum together with J. Pfurtscheller from Burgel. They reached the summit while traversing the ridge from the Östliche Seespitze to the Ruderhofspitze. The usual route follows the Hochmoosscharte and the Hochmoosferner, ascending snow and scree to the top. Climbers normally start from the Franz-Senn-Hütte at 2,147 metres or the Neue Regensburger Hütte further east. Both huts lie on glacier, so the final approach to the col is across ice. In winter the same line becomes a ski tour, and under good conditions the entire climb can be skied. The mountain’s glaciers and high position give it a remote, alpine character, with sweeping views of the surrounding Stubai peaks.