Grauer Schimmel

The Grauer Schimme is a 3 053-metre peak in the Granatspitz range of East Tyrol. It stands on the border between the parishes of Kals am Großglockner and Matrei in Osttirol, part of the Muntanitz ridge. The name comes from the Romansh word gimbus, meaning hump or knob, describing the mountain’s sombre, grey summit. To the south-east the Great Muntanitz rises and to the north the Luckenkogel can be seen. The summit sits between the Schimmescharte at 2 912 metres and the Grauscharte at 3 000 metres, with the Graukogel attached on the west. A connecting ridge leads north-east to the Great Muntanitz. On the east side the Southern Loameskees glacier lies below, while the Muntanitzkees glacier reaches almost to the summit on the south side. The usual route starts at the Upper Taxeralm at 1 653 metres beside the Felbertauern road. A marked path leads to the Kessleralm at 1 923 metres, then the route continues without a trail along the Petersbach stream and across grassy ridges to about 2 800 metres. From there the climb follows the left edge of the small Muntanitzkees glacier to a col below the west ridge. The final section follows the stony west ridge without any real climbing difficulties.