Kratzer

The Kratzer is a multi-summit mountain in the Allgäuer Alps, standing 2428 m high. It lies southwest of the Kemptner Hütte and from Oberstdorf appears as a rocky ruin. The mountain shows the jagged remains of an old summit that once rose higher. No marked path leads to the top, making it a challenge for those who choose to climb. The easiest route comes from the south across steep, rugged ground and demands sure-footedness and agility. Climbers still speak of the Kratzer’s North Wall as a serious test of skill. The rock there is loose and crumbly, so even experienced mountaineers rarely attempt it now. Older guides describe the wall as a classic climb in the 19th century before the stone began to break apart. The mountain’s name itself hints at the rough, scraped look of its ridges. Local writers like Thaddäus Steiner have studied its place names and the stories they tell. Visitors who reach the southern slopes find themselves on broken slabs and narrow ledges. In winter the same route becomes a ski tour for those with the right equipment. From the summit area the Allgäuer Alps stretch out in every direction. The Kemptner Hütte below offers a place to rest after the climb. The mountain keeps its secrets close, rewarding only those who approach with care.