Storfenspitze

The Storfenspitze rises on the main ridge of the Villgratner range in East Tirol, standing between the higher Weiße Spitze and the Great Degenhorn. It marks the border between the villages of St Veit in Defereggen to the north-east and Innervillgraten to the south. Two valleys flank the mountain: the Bruggeralmbachtal on the northern side and the Arntalbach on the southern side. The summit itself reaches 2,895 metres above sea level. Climbers rarely visit the Storfenspitze except as part of a longer crossing or as a ski goal. The simplest route starts in the Brugger Almbach valley, passing the Brugger Alm before climbing a steep scree gully to the top. Another approach uses the col between the Storfenspitze and the Degenhorn, which can be reached from either the Brugger Almbach or Arntalbach valleys. The ridge itself demands easy climbing moves on the I-grade scale, while the north-north-west ridge is loose and hazardous. From the summit, the view stretches across the Villgratner chain and into the Defereggental. The rugged crest of the Weiße Spitze lies to the north-west, and the broad slopes of the Great Degenhorn lie to the east. Below, the high pastures of the Brugger Alm show patches of green against grey rock. The air is thin and clear, carrying the sound of distant waterfalls from the two valleys.