Christaturm

The Christaturm stands at 2,170 metres in the Wilder Kaiser range of the Austrian Alps. Its eastern face drops 200 metres into the Steinerne Rinne, a deep limestone gorge that separates it from the Predigtstuhl. To the west lies the Totenkirchl, reached via the Winklerscharte, while the Hohe Winkel basin stretches beyond. North of the Fleischbankscharte is the Fleischbank, and south follows the Hintere Karlspitze. Climbers know the Christaturm for routes that have shaped Alpine history. The normal route starts near the Ellmauer Tor, crossing scree before ascending a gully marked with bolts. After a short scramble the path leads to the Christascharte, where a final climb of difficulty III reaches the summit cross. An alternative route from the Hintere Karlspitze follows the ridge toward the Winklerscharte before descending to the same col. Visitors on the summit find a narrow limestone crest with views across the Kaisergebirge. The surrounding peaks—Fleischbank, Totenkirchl and Predigtstuhl—form a jagged horizon. Below, the Steinerne Rinne cuts a deep cleft between walls, while the Hohe Winkel basin holds patches of alpine meadow. The air carries the scent of mountain plants and the sound of wind in the rocks.