Alpinkletterführer Karwendel

Scope and coverage

Panico’s Karwendel guide zeroes in on alpine multi-pitch climbing across the Northern Limestone Alps’ wildest corner. It spans roadside classics and modern multipitches near Innsbruck to long, serious undertakings on the Lalidererwände and the vast north faces above the Ahornboden. Coverage is broad without feeling indiscriminate, with clear area divisions and an index of all routes.

Key areas include:

• Mittenwald; Rißtal; Ahornboden; Gramai; Lamsenjochhütte
• Halltal/Halltalkette; Nordkette; Innsbruck
• Erlspitzgruppe; Scharnitz; Halleranger

Structure and usability

The book opens with how to use the guide, protection and equipment notes (including a useful cam-conversion table), grading guidance, and a lucid area breakdown. Each crag or wall gets a concise access, character, material, and descent section, followed by color topos and pitch-by-pitch diagrams with lengths and obligatory grades. An overview map on the rear flap ties the network of valleys, huts, and toll roads together; pairing with DAV 5/1 Karwendel West is recommended.

Climbing content and topos

For route selection, the range is exemplary: from well-bolted sport-style multipitches at Martinswand, Halleranger, and the Nordkette to historic and committing lines like the Laliderer Nordverschneidung or Rebitsch/Spiegl. The guide’s candor is a strength—seriousness, rock quality, and escape options are called out, and descents such as the Spindlerschlucht are described with practical detail (e.g., sequences of short abseils and markings). Newer venues and updates stand out at Halleranger, the Eiskarlsporn, and the Sonnjoch’s northeast face, where water-worn limestone and modern bolting are captured in clear wall photos and meticulous topos.

What stands out

• Balanced selection: modern bolted lines plus big, traditional outings.
• Excellent wall drawings: multiple lines, logical color-coding, and pitch data aid on-route decisions.
• Honest, safety-forward text: seasonality, loose zones, and alpine descents aren’t glossed over.
• Thoughtful front matter: gear, protection ethics, and grading reduce guesswork.

Minor caveat: this is an alpine guide for competent teams—fitness, judgment, and self-reliance are assumed, especially on the long north faces where weather and descents define the day.

Recommendation

A standout alpine climbing guide for the Karwendel: comprehensive in scope, current in its selection, and notably clear in its topos and descent information. Ideal for teams planning anything from evening multipitches above Innsbruck to full-scale adventures on the Lalidererwände. Pack it alongside a solid rack—and plenty of respect for the terrain.

Details

Weight

800g

Pages

564

Publisher

Panico Alpinverlag