Ralfkopf

The Ralfkopf is a sharp-edged mountain rising to 3 106 metres in the Schober Group of the Hohe Tauern in East Tyrol. It stands on the border between the villages of Nußdorf-Debant and Kals am Großglockner, with the Ganot to the west and the Debant ridge to the south. The first ascent was made on 24 July 1890 by Ludwig Purtscheller, a pioneer of Alpine exploration. Climbers reach the summit by several routes. The normal way starts from the Lesachalm hut, follows the Ralftal to the Schobertörl, then turns left onto the Ralfkees before tackling the South-West ridge, graded I. A harder option is the Debant ridge traverse, which includes sections graded II+ and crosses the Ralfscharte. Two further climbs on the south-east side, the South-East ridge and the South-East wall pillar, both graded III–IV, are often combined with an ascent of the nearby Ganot. At the top walkers are rewarded by a narrow, airy crest and sweeping views over the Schober Group and the Glockner range. The steep eastern and northern faces drop sharply into the valleys below, while the southern flanks offer gentler ground. The contrast between the rugged ridges and the high alpine meadows of the Ralftal adds to the appeal of this remote peak.