Day 1: Hut ascent to Defreggerhaus
We meet at the Wiesenkreuz/Hinterbichl car park in the Virgental and, after a short equipment check, take the Venediger-Taxi comfortably up to Johanneshütte. From there, it is another approx. 2.5 hours of ascent to Defreggerhaus, our base for the ascent of Großvenediger the following day. The approach is a fine start: first arrive, find your rhythm, and gradually ease into the high-alpine surroundings.
Walking time: 2.5 h | ↑ 850 m
⌂ Defreggerhaus (2,962 m)

Day 2: Großvenediger summit
The next morning, after breakfast, we set off early towards the summit. Shortly after the hut, we reach the Innere Mullwitzkees, which stretches south from the summit of Großvenediger. Roped up and with ice axe and crampons, we continue ascending over the glacier. We reach the Rainertörl and from here still have roughly one hour to the summit. Just before the highest point, a short snow arête awaits us, which, depending on snow conditions, can at times lead quite exposed to the summit. From the top, the view extends far across the surrounding peaks and, in clear visibility, even as far as the Dolomites to the south. What we will not see, however, even in the best weather, is Venice – a rumour that still persists stubbornly.
Walking time: 5.5 h | ↑ 700 m | ↓ 1,550 m | Difficulty: PD-

Info: Without the Venediger-Taxi, the approach and descent is extended by approx. 2 h and 800 m of ascent.