HOHE DOCK

Before ascent of circle Hohe Dock - Gr.Barenkopf I recommend first to consider carefully and well estimate your physical and psychic abilities.  It's about very fastidious hike. Point of departure was parking place in face of road toll Ferleiten - 1141 above sea level (asl) on northeast parties of massif. Way for car ends here once for all and we must go by food to the lowlands Ferleitental. We go for about 2km along wide passable way,  almost over plain. Footpath suddenly turns to the right and begins taking height. At first only gently, later more sheer. By this way we get as far as disposed cottage Bockner Hütte up on high 1700 asl. Here it's breaking bread, we enter to the very sheer grassy slope 450 metre high,  which we pass by merciless switchback.  On top of slope we overcome wade of stream and already over only short rise in a few switchback we reach the cottage Schwarzenberger Hütte  - 2269 asl. It is already closed, so we accomodate for symbolic price in comfortable winterraum.  It is equiped luxury from bed with mattress, dishes, spigot, WC, alcohol etc.

 We wake up for ascent already at 5 am and set off the trip leading to the summit Hohe Dock by starting daylight.   At first the way goes well over slope above cottage and then by travers to major snow field below saddle.  This is very sheer and it is suitable depending on temperature to use climbing-irons and make one's mind easy. Saddle is narrow, just only for puff. Puff namely orderly,  because what us waits now Logo later call the devastion. Extremely steep slope consists of compact rockies.  If we talked about switchback till now, so don't expect it there. As far as on summit leads edge belayed by iron ropes and nothing but suffering,  grief and fear expect us!  In 3/4 of the edge it straights and doesn't go already so steeply.  To be sure it vary to sharp edge to summit,  which we go only flounder forward.  We are welcomed by small cross and in our case mist,  wind, snow-fall and icing.  ( otherwise Hohe Dock belongs to point with very good scenery ). Way continues further over edge,  which changes in a very dificult and exposed ferrata dif. D/E and descent over frostbitten rocks with big drops isn't easy.  Some places are not for beginners.  This fastidious way we go  to saddle Dockscharte - 3260 asl.  Here we enter  very (40°) sheer firn edge to Gr.Bärenkopf. Though it seems at first,  without climbing iron it is impossible to overcome. Ther is nothing only omnipresent mist in the summit. Descend into Dockscharte is like way very carefully.  Here be careful of right direction!  It is very sorely place under mist!  We have to hit saddle Gruber Scharte - 3092 asl under absolutely zero visibility.  We traverse several gigantic scratches here,  by which we have to get round. After searching way relief  from success comes - we are in saddle. ( take up rope is matter of course ). From original plan to continue the way over summits Klockerin and Bratschenkopf further  we leave and make a decision for uncertainty variant of descent cracked glacier Hochgruberkees.  First few metres look shockingly.  Extraordinary steepness and labyrinth of scratches.  It is mist and is very exacting to choose right way direction.  Later glacier moderate,  to be sure fall into the several shallow scratches. It only comes off torn shorts from iron.  At the end of glazier is NECESSARY!!! to pitch upon rocky island of the right glazier's parties.  From here down the detritus brae to the cottage. The whole circle lasted us about 8,5 hours.  Descent from cottages following day was very long. To the settlement Ferleiten where we've our car it is 9km and 1100 metre camber.

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