Dachstein

The Dachstein is the main peak of the Dachstein Mountains, a mountain range in the Northern Alps that spans the border between Austria and Germany. The Dachstein has the shape of a double peak: the Hoher Dachstein, which rises 2995 meters above sea level, and the Niedere Dachstein, which lies 400 meters to the north and is 2934 meters high. The Hoher Dachstein is the highest point in the Dachstein Mountains, as well as the highest point in the Austrian federal states of Upper Austria and Styria.

The Dachstein is not only a remarkable natural landmark, but also a cultural and historical one. Because of its height and beauty, the Dachstein has been a sought-after destination for mountaineers since the 19th century, after the Grimming was long regarded to be Styria’s highest peak. The first recorded ascent of the Hoher Dachstein was made by Peter Gappmayr in 1832, followed by many other pioneers and explorers. The Dachstein is also known for its approximately 1 km high reddish south walls, which are formed of Dachstein limestone, a type of rock that is rich in fossils and has been used for building and carving since ancient times. The Dachstein limestone is also the source of the name of the mountain, which means “roof stone” in German.

The Dachstein is a mountain with many faces and facets. It is the second highest peak in the Lechtal Alps after the Parseierspitze (3036 m above sea level), and it offers a variety of landscapes and views. While the Niedere Dachstein is wholly in Upper Austria, the Hoher Dachstein is shared between Upper Austria and Styria. Hallstatt, a picturesque town that is famous for its salt mines and UNESCO World Heritage status, is 10 kilometers north-northeast of the Dachstein. Ramsau, a popular ski resort and winter sports center, is 612 kilometers south-east of the Dachstein. Lammertal, a valley that is known for its alpine pastures and hiking trails, is on the western outskirts of the Dachstein.

The Dachstein is also home to several glaciers, which are among the most impressive and endangered features of the mountain. The glaciers include the Hallstatt Glacier (historically “Karlseisfeld”), the Schladming Glacier, and the Great and Small Gosaugletscher and the Schneeloch Glacier. They are all currently in decline or disintegration, due to the effects of climate change and human activities. Torsteingletscher (in the Windlegerkar), Edelgrießgletscher (southern side of the Koppenkarstein), and the fields on the Dachstein south face (below the wind gaps) have all virtually vanished in recent decades, leaving only dead ice covered with debris. Extensive conservation procedures are in place whenever the ice field is used for the Dachstein glacier ski resort, which is one of the few places in Europe where skiing is possible all year round.

Many of the Dachstein lakes are glacial lakes, which are formed by the melting of the ice or the accumulation of rainwater. They are particularly abundant in the area of the Hallstatt glacier, where there are several ice lakes that have different colors and shapes. Some of the most notable ones are the Echowandsee, the Simonysee, and the Gosausee. The Dachstein lakes are not only scenic, but also ecologically important, as they host a variety of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic or rare.

The Dachstein has a long and fascinating history that goes back to the ice ages, when the Dachstein Glacier was one of the most widespread glacier fields in the Eastern Alps, shaping the entire Salzkammergut and the Ennstal. The Dachstein Glacier left behind many traces of its past, such as moraines, cirques, and glacial valleys. The Dachstein also influenced the human history of the region, as it provided resources, challenges, and opportunities for the people who lived near or on the mountain. The Dachstein has been a source of salt, limestone, iron, and wood, as well as a place of worship, refuge, and inspiration. The Dachstein has been the subject of many legends, myths, and stories, such as the legend of the Dachstein King, who is said to sleep under the mountain and will awaken when the glaciers melt.