{{Short description|Twin-peaked mountain in Austria}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Karlspitzen | image = 2011 Wilder Kaiser 092 Vordere und Hintere Karlspitze 2260 2281.JPG | image_caption = Vordere and Hintere Karlspitze (in the background Ellmauer Halt) - view from the summit of the Hinteren Goinger Halt, 2011 | elevation = {{Höhe|2281|AT|link=true }} ({{convert|2281|m|ft|disp=output only|abbr=on}}) | elevation_ref = | isolation = | isolation_ref = | prominence = | prominence_ref = | range = [[Kaisergebirge]] | location = [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]], [[Austria]] | map = Austria | map_image = | coordinates = {{coord|47.56556|N|12.31556|E|type:mountain_region:AT-7_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | range_coordinates = | coordinates_ref = | normal_route = Ellmauer Tor – Karlspitzen }}
The '''Karlspitzen''' is a [[twin-peaked]] mountain in the middle of the [[Kaisergebirge]] range of the [[Northern Limestone Alps]] in Austria. The two peaks are the northern ''Hintere Karlspitze'' (2,281 m) and the southern ''Vordere Karlspitze'' (2,263 m) with its [[summit cross]]; they are linked by a sharp, exposed, rocky arête. Seen from the south the Vordere Karlspitze is a huge and very prominent block of rock, whereas the Hintere Karlspitze is hidden behind other (lower) neighbouring mountains.
== Location == The Karlspitzen peaks tower over the [[Ellmauer Tor]] saddle and [[Steinerne Rinne (Kaisergebirge)|Steinerne Rinne]] couloir to their east and so lie in the heart of the Wilder Kaiser mountains. To the east rise the rather lower summits of the [[Goinger Halt]] and [[Predigtstuhl (Kaisergebirge)|Predigtstuhl]], immediately to the north are the [[Fleischbank (Kaisergebirge)|Fleischbank]] and [[Totenkirchl]] and, further west, separated by the Kopftörl arête, is the higher [[Ellmauer Halt]]. Thanks to its location the Karlspitzen have extensive views over both the Wilder Kaiser and also the neighbouring mountain ranges.
== Routes == The Karlspitzen are among the more difficult and hence less-frequented summits in the Kaiser. No signposted or secured route runs up to the [[double peak]]; all the more reason why Alpine experience, a sense of direction, safe climbing ability and a [[head for heights]] are necessary. The normal way starts at the [[Ellmauer Tor]] and is only marked by a pair of [[cairn]]s. Cairns should not be relied on in any case, many are misleading. However, traces of the trail are generally easy to recognise. They lead through a rocky and generally steep ''[[Schrofen]]'' which involves light climbing of up to [[climbing grade|grade]] II difficulty. It takes an hour to reach the Karlspitzen arête where the route branches to the Hinterer and Vorderer Karlspitze.
== External links == * [http://www.roberge.de/frameexec.php?file=tour.php&id=412&swo= Tour report with photos] {{in lang|de}}
[[Category:Mountains of the Alps]] [[Category:Mountains of Tyrol (state)]] [[Category:Two-thousanders of Austria]] [[Category:Kaiser Mountains]]