yadam.de - Gipfeltouren: Großer Beil (2309m)

Großer Beil (2309m)* via Sonnjoch and Gressenstein
Region: Tyrol -> Kitzbüheler Alps -> Alpbach Valley

Character: The upper Alpbach Valley is confined to the east by a mountain range consisting of numerous peaks: the Lämpersberg (2202m), the Kleiner Beil (2196m), the Gressenstein (2216m) and the Sonnjoch (2287m). Amidst prances the imposing triangle-shaped pyramid of the Großer Beil, target of the presumably most beautiful tour in the Alpbach region: an overwhelming ridge-hike via three summits. Recommendations for this "bone-tour": a good physical shape and ample time.
Data: Ascent: 5h Descent: 3h Height difference: 1500m	Skill level:
	Gear: Day trip
Starting point: Inneralpbach (1050m)
Course: The onset is merely a warm-up. Follow the gravel road (No. A13) up the wonderful ravine called "Greiter Graben", always alongside the Alpbach brook. After some 90 minutes you will find yourself in front of the Steinbergalm (1712m) which marks the end of the Alpbach Valley. Behind the Alm take the path to left which leads up to the Steinberger Joch (1912m), a col in the southern wall which is marked by a monument in memory of killed mountaineers. Pursue the unpretentious ascent to the spacious summit of the Sonnjoch ("sun col", 2287 m), the first of the two peaks you'll have to negotiate on your way to the Beil. Following the sign "Großer Beil" you will eventually reach the ridge which sweeps to the wonderful pyramid in northern direction. The path is rather narrow, thus concentration is paramount. Especially do not look around while walking! It also goes up and down perpetually and therefore proves very strenuous. After you have left the Gressenstein peak (2216m) behind, prepare for the ultimate ascent for the Großer Beil. The ridge broadens and turns into a boulder field. The track becomes nearly invisible, so just head on for the summit cross. Besides the beautiful panorama - the Beil is only excelled by the Galtenberg massif to the west - you might enjoy the mind-boggling look down the Beil's northern rockface. And if you aren't yet exhausted after approximately 5 hours of walking you might want to venture an excursion to the Gamskarkopf's near ridge peak (2242m). Descent: double back using the known route first. Just before the ascent to the Gressenstein turn right and plod down through the rapid rubble field (the path is hardly to discover) till you cross the "Bettelsteig" path at 1850m above sealevel. This narrow path spans the whole Greiter Graben at timber level. Pursue it in northern direction. At the "Stadlkehralm" (1798m) enter the gravel road which threads down into the ditch and eventually meets the A13 which will lead you back to Inneralpach.
Variations: There is a second ascent (or descent) route for the Großer Beil: emanating from the Lämpersberg (2202m) via the so called "Beilschartl", a very steep and narrow ridge which I hadn't the guts to take when I first saw it from the Beil's summit.
[Alpenreport]

(*) "Great Hatchet"