Finsterkarspitze

The Finsterkarspitze is a twin-summit mountain in the Lasörling range of the Venediger group in East Tyrol. It stands just below 3 029 m and marks the boundary between the parishes of St Jakob in Defereggen and Prägraten am Großvenediger. The first recorded climb, in July 1894, was made by J Erlsbacher, probably with V Ladstätter, by way of the east ridge. The two peaks are separated by the Rote Lenke col and linked by the long east ridge that crosses the Dürrfeldscharte and climbs to the Stampfleskopf. South of the summit lies the Trojeralmtal, while to the north the Kleinbachtal begins its steep descent. Between the twin summits the Finsterkarscharte forms a natural gap, and a short south ridge drops to the Kesselpater. Walkers usually set out from the Neue Reichenberger Hütte and follow the south-west slopes up scree to the summit. An easier north-west route leaves the hut, crosses the Rote Lenke and then traverses grass and slab to the col before the final ridge. A harder variation follows the entire north-west arête from the hut, while the east ridge from the Dürrfeldscharte offers another straightforward way to the top.