Grimming

The Grimming is an isolated peak in the Dachstein Mountains of Austria and one of the few ultra-prominent mountains of the Alps.
Image:Irdning12 2007 08 114.jpg|thumb|left|The Grimming seen from Irdning

Geography

Location

The Grimming rises between the Enns valley and Salzkammergut, east of the Dachstein massif, being separated from its eastern rim by the Salza Gorge.

Geology

Although it is topographically separate from the Dachstein, the Grimming is mainly made of Dachstein limestone.
Southwest of the main summit is the Grimmingtor, a roughly 50-metre-high and 15-metre-wide recess in the rock face, capped by a 10-metre-thick rock overhang. To the east it is bounded by a large rib of rock, which is why, in certain light conditions, it has the appearance of a gate. According to legend, rich treasures have been hidden behind this "gate".

History

Thanks to its imposing appearance, the mountain was long described as mons Styriae altissimus, the highest mountain in the Austrian state of Styria. It was used as a survey mark for early land surveys; in 1822 Lieutenant Carl Baron Simbschen erected a wooden survey mark at the summit and a stone hut just below it as a shelter.

Access

The mountain is a popular destination for mountaineers and climbers. The Grimming Hut is the only hut in this massif and is not far above the valley. North of the Grimming summit there is a bothy that was built in 1949 and may be used as emergency shelter in bad weather.

Literature

Paula Grogger: Das Grimmingtor. Literarische Aufarbeitung der Sagen rund um den Grimming..