Grass mountain explained

A grass mountain (German: Grasberg) in topography is a mountain covered with low vegetation, typically in the Alps and often steep-sided.^[1] The nature of such cover, which often grows particularly well on sedimentary rock, will reflect local conditions.

Distribution

The following mountain ranges of the Eastern Alps in Europe are often referred to as grass mountains (Grasberge):

• the Allgäu Alps in Bavaria, Germany and Tyrol in Austria,^{[2] [3]}
• the Kitzbühel Alps in the Austrian states of Salzburg and Tyrol,^[4] and
• the Dienten Mountains in Salzburg.^[5]

Other areas where grass mountains occur include: the gorges of the Himalayas,^[6] Scotland,^[6] Poland's Tatra Mountains,^[7] and Lofoten.^[8]

Individual examples

• Geißstein (2,366 m), Kitzbühel Alps.
• Höfats (2,259 m), Allgäu Alps^[9]
• Schneck (2,268 m), Allgäu Alps^[10]
• Latschur (2,236 m), Gailtal Alps ^[11]

Ascent techniques

Negotiating the steep grass-covered sides of grass mountains requires a special type of climbing known as grass climbing (Grasklettern).^[12]

Notes and References

1. Book: Bätzing, Werner. 1997. 978-3-4064-2005-4. 114. [{{Google books|tTITrmmqz9AC|plainurl=yes}} Kleines Alpenlexikon: Umwelt, Wirtschaft, Kultur].
2. http://www.bernhard-edmaier.de/en/portfolio/alpen.html?tx_wtgallery_pi1%5Bshow%5D=185113056&cHash=21adffb3a5c2804e115bea06ce71ce5d Höfats, the Allgäu Alps, Germany
3. http://www.guide-to-bavaria.com/en/Oberallgaeu-County.html County of Upper Allgäu (Oberallgäu)
4. http://www.kitzbuehel.com/en/winter-holiday Winter Sports in Kitzbuehel
5. http://www.hochkoenig.at/topbilder/pdf/koenigsweg_englisch.pdf Kings Trail - Hiking without luggage
6. Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal, Vol 32, Issues 171-174, 1980, p. 206.
7. Alpinist, Issues 1-4, LLC, 2002, p. 68.
8. Ed Webster, Climbing in the Magic Mountains, Nord Norsk Klatresskole, 1994, p. 33.
9. http://www.routeyou.com/location/view/48088812/hofats.en Höfats
10. http://www.summitpost.org/allg-u-alps/154588 Allgäu Alps
11. http://www.summitpost.org/latschur/154564 Latschur
12. Wilfrid Noyce. The Alps. Thames and Hudson, 1961, p. 221.