The majestic Große Priel in the Totes Gebirge mountains loomed proudly before me when I decided to embark on the exciting adventure of via ferrata climbing. With an altitude of 2,515 metres and the status as the highest mountain in the region, the Große Priel promised a demanding and breathtaking challenge.

I was particularly intrigued by the ascent via the Bert Rinesch via ferrata, which only opened in 2019. The fact that it is the longest via ferrata in Austria, with an impressive climbing length of 2,130 metres and a difference in altitude of 900 metres, made my adventurer’s heart beat faster.

The starting point for my project was the Prielschutzhaus at an altitude of 1,100 metres. The ascent alone to the Schutzhaus already required several hours of hiking, so I decided to set off from Hinterstoder the day before and spend the night there.

The next morning my via ferrata adventure began. From the Prielschutzhaus I went on to the helipad and then in the direction of Bloßkogel. There a signpost showed the way through the Goldkar to the start of the via ferrata. I was full of anticipation as I climbed the first few metres up the wall of the Großer Priel.

The via ferrata itself was a mixture of action via ferrata and alpine via ferrata. In the lower section, rope bridges and even caves awaited me, which I negotiated with skill and enthusiasm. Some of the passages had a difficulty rating of D and required full concentration and surefootedness.

With every metre I climbed higher, a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain landscape opened up to me. But I couldn’t let myself be distracted by the beauty for too long, because the via ferrata continued to demand my full attention.

In the upper section, the character of the via ferrata changed to a classic alpine via ferrata. The air became thin and I felt the exposure as I climbed the ladders. The challenge was intensified by the steep ridge that eventually led me to the legendary red summit cross of the Großer Priel.

700 pitons, 14 ladders and 2 rope bridges were part of this unique via ferrata that challenged and rewarded me in every way. The extension of the via ferrata in 2019 had created a masterpiece that was one of the most impressive via ferratas in Austria.

After reaching the summit of the Großer Priel, I felt a little closer to heaven. The effort and the challenges I had overcome on the way to the summit gave this experience a special meaning. The view from the top was indescribable and I enjoyed every moment of this unforgettable moment.

The descent was via the normal route, along the west ridge to the Brotfallscharte. I had to pull my concentration together once again, as there were also some rope-secured passages to overcome here. The Kühkar finally led me back to the Prielschutzhaus, where I reviewed the adventure.

The ascent of the Großer Priel via the Bert Rinesch via ferrata was undoubtedly one of the most challenging and yet most fascinating experiences in my mountaineering life. The memory of this adventure will stay with me forever, and I am grateful for the opportunity to climb the summit of the Großer Priel in this incomparable way.