Orografische Wolken und ein atemberaubender Aussichtspunkt oberhalb von Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Oberbayern

Peter Engelmann, Dezember 2024

Der weltbekannte Olympiaort Garmisch-Partenkirchen ist berühmt für Deutschlands höchsten Berg, die Zugspitze, für atemberaubende Schluchten und für die spektakuläre Landschaft, in die er eingebettet ist: das Werdenfelser Land.

Aber auch einzigartige Wetterphänomene prägen die Region. Ähnlich wie das Matterhorn ist die Zugspitze ein Ort, an dem bestimmte stationäre orografische Wolken wie Bannerwolken und Linsenwolken (Stratocumulus lenticularis oder Altocumulus lenticularis) zu sehen sind. Diese sogenannten orografischen Wolken sind für Fotografen von besonderem Interesse, da sie der Landschaftsfotografie eine einzigartige und magische Atmosphäre verleihen. Der Begriff „orografisch“ bedeutet, dass sie mit dem Relief der Landschaft in Verbindung stehen.

Stratocumulus Lenticularis

Stratocumulus lenticularis (linsenförmige Stratocumulus) sehen manchmal wie Ufos aus und wurden tatsächlich mit ihnen verwechselt, aber es sind orografische Wolken, die oft mit dem Föhnphänomen in Verbindung gebracht werden (wenngleich Föhnwinde für ihre Entstehung nicht notwendig sind).
 
Im Dezember 2024, an einem fantastischen Wintertag, konnte man in der Nähe der Zugspitze diese Wolke beobachten, die wie ein Pfannkuchenstapel aussieht.

Aber was sind diese mysteriösen Wolken und wie entstehen sie?

21. Dezember 2024: Eine Kappe auf der Zugspitze

Laut dem National Weather Service sind Altocumulus Lenticularis „mit Wellen in der Atmosphäre verbunden, die entstehen, wenn relativ stabile, sich schnell bewegende Luft nach oben und über eine topografische Barriere gepresst wird, die mehr oder weniger senkrecht zu der Richtung ausgerichtet ist, aus der der Wind der oberen Ebene weht. Durch diese Ablenkung entsteht eine Schwerkraftwelle in Windrichtung der topografischen Barriere, die einer Welle ähnelt, die man durch das Werfen eines Kieselsteins in einen Teich erzeugen kann. Wenn oberhalb der Bergkuppe genügend Feuchtigkeit vorhanden ist, bilden sich ACSL-Wolken innerhalb des Kammes dieser Bergwellen, wo die Luft aufsteigt. ACSL-Wolken entstehen und verflüchtigen sich ständig in der Nähe des Wellenkamms bzw. unmittelbar hinter dem Wellenkamm. Deshalb scheinen sie stationär zu bleiben (daher der Name), obwohl sich die Winde schnell (manchmal sehr schnell) durch die gesamte Wolke bewegen.

Das Phänomen tritt häufig im Winter auf, und hier sind einige Eindrücke von diesem Dezembermorgen.
 
Die orografische Wolke verschwand später und am Nachmittag beendete ein Wetterumschwung die magische Episode am Morgen des 21. Dezember 2024.

Wo kann man nun solch interessante Phänomene beobachten?

Die Zugspitze ist zwar nah, aber die gegenüberliegende Talseite ist für solche Beobachtungen besser geeignet: Hier befinden sich die Berge Wank und Kramer. Am Kramer entlang führt ein bekannter Wanderweg, der Kramer-Plateauweg.

An der Flanke des Wank befindet sich eine beeindruckende moderne Hütte mit einem ausgezeichneten Restaurant, der Tannenhütte. Von hier aus hat man einen atemberaubenden Blick auf das gesamte Zugspitzmassiv. Die pyramidenförmige Alpspitze ist gut zu sehen.

Von der Altstadt von Partenkirchen aus führen mehrere Wege zur Tannenhütte. Die Wanderung dauert etwa eine Stunde.

Bannerwolken

Es gibt aber auch noch andere orografische Wolken, die hier zu sehen sind. Sogenannte „Bannerwolken“ treten auch in der Nähe der Zugspitze oder des Matterhorns auf. Wie die Linsenwolke ist auch die Bannerwolke eine orografische Wolke.

Bannerwolken scheinen mit dem Berg verbunden zu sein und sehen aus wie eine Flagge oder ein Banner. Die Wolken erscheinen auf der Lee-Seite, d. h. der windabgewandten Seite des Berges. Ihre Dynamik ist Gegenstand laufender Forschungen. Diese Art von Wolken ist auch in Bergen wie dem Matterhorn oder der Zugspitze zu sehen.

Wie erreicht man den Aussichtspunkt?

Die Tannenhütte oberhalb von Garmisch-Partenkirchen lässt sich auf mehreren Wegen erreichen: Einer davon führt durch die romantische Schalmeischlucht, eine Schlucht, die zwar nicht mit der berühmten Partnachklamm vergleichbar ist, aber mit beeindruckenden Felswänden aufwartet. Alle Wanderwege beginnen in der Altstadt von Partenkirchen.

Partenkirchen: Traditionelle Häuser und das Flair eines typischen Alpenortes. Die Straße führt zum Ausgangspunkt des Weges.

Über einen der Wanderwege gelangt man in die wildromantische Schalmeischlucht. Ein echter Geheimtipp in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Ein anderer Weg ist einfacher und ein breiter Pfad, der auch der Transportweg zur Hütte ist. Im Winter ist dies sicherlich die ungefährlichere Wahl, da der steile Bergweg in der Schalmeischlucht leicht rutschig werden kann. Kurz vor der Tannenhütte befindet sich eine beeindruckende Hängebrücke. Wer Probleme mit solchen Brücken hat, kann sie umwandern und erreicht die Hütte ohne Probleme.

Der andere Weg ist einfacher und führt durch einen majestätischen Bergwald.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen ist von München und Innsbruck aus leicht mit dem Zug zu erreichen. Vor allem an Wochenenden sind die Straßen sehr voll, daher ist der Zug eine gute Option. Entweder man geht zu Fuß nach Partenkirchen oder man wartet auf den Bus (Nr. 4+5). Wanderwege führen weiter um das Wankbergmassiv. Es gibt auch eine Seilbahn auf den Gipfel des Wank.

Die moderne Tannenhütte ist ein faszinierendes Ziel auch für diejenigen, die sich für zeitgenössische alpine Architektur interessieren.

Ein großartiger Aussichtspunkt für Wanderer, Fotografen und Videofilmer

Von hier aus kann man das gesamte Zugspitzmassiv sehen. In der Mitte ist die Alpspitze

Fotografen schätzen den fantastischen Blick über ganz Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Der Blick reicht weit in den Westen.

© Deutsche Übersetzung: Susanne Niemuth-Engelmann / Redaktionsbüro Niemuth, https://redaktionsbuero-niemuth.de/ / 26.01.25

OROGRAPHIC CLOUDS AND A BREATHTAKING VIEWPOINT ABOVE GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN IN BAVARIA

Peter Engelmann, December 2024

The world-known Olympic town of Garmisch Partenkirchen is famous for Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze, breathtaking gorges, and its spectacular scenery.

But it also has its unique weather phenomena. Similar to the Matterhorn the Zugspitze is a place where certain stationary orographic clouds as Banner clouds and Stratocumulus lenticularis or  Altocumulus Standing Lenticular Clouds can be seen.

These orographic clouds are of particular interest to photographers as they add a unique and magical atmosphere to landscape photography.

STRATOCUMULUS LENTICULARIS

Stratocumulus lenticularis are sometimes looking like Ufo’s and were indeed mistaken for them but they are orographic clouds often connected with the Foehn phenomenon (even Foehn winds are not necessary). 

In December 2024 on a fantastic winter day, there was this stack of pancakes cloud near Zugspitze. 

But what are these mysterious clouds and what make them?

December 21, 2024: A cap on top of the Zugspitze

According to the National Weather Service Altocumulus Standing Lenticular Clouds are “associated with waves in the atmosphere that develop when relatively stable, fast-moving air is forced up and over a topographic barrier that is oriented more or less perpendicular to the direction from which the upper-level wind is blowing. This deflection creates a gravity wave downwind of the topographic barrier not unlike a wave you might generate by throwing a pebble into a pond. When sufficient moisture is present above the mountain-top level, ACSL clouds develop within the crest of these mountain waves where the air is rising. ACSL clouds are continually developing and dissipating in the vicinity of the wave's crest and immediately downwind of the crest, respectively. That is why they appear to remain stationary (hence the name) even though winds are swiftly (sometimes very swiftly) moving through the entire cloud.”

The phenomenon happens often in winter and here are some impressions of this December morning.

The orographic cloud later disappeared and in the afternoon a weather change ended the magical episode in the morning of December 21, 2024. 

But where to watch such interesting phenomena? The Zugspitze Mountain might be close but the opposite side of the valley is better suited for such observations: Here is the Wank-Mountain or the Kramer Mountain with a famous trail. At the flank of the Wank there is a stunning modern cabin with an excellent restaurant, the Tannenhuette. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking sight of the whole Zugspitz-Mountain-Range. The pyramid-shaped Alpspitze is prominently displayed.

A couple of trails lead from the old town of Partenkirchen to the Tannenhuette. The walk takes approximately one hour.

BANNER CLOUDS

But we also have to talk about other orographic clouds which can be seen here. So-called “Banner Clouds” appear also near Zugpitze or Matterhorn.

Like the Standing Lenticular Cloud, the Bannercloud is another orographic cloud which means they are related to the relief of the landscape.

Banner Clouds seem attached to the mountain and look like a flag or a banner. The clouds appear on the leeward side of the mountain where there is no wind. Their dynamics are a field of ongoing research. This type of cloud can also be seen in Mountains like the Matterhorn or the Zugspitze.

HOW TO GET TO THE VIEWPOINT?

A couple of ways lead to the Tannenhütte above Garmisch-Partenkirchen: One trail leads through the romantic Schalmeischlucht, a gorge, not comparable to the famous Partnach Gorge but with impressing rockfaces. All trails begin in the old town of Partenkirchen.

Partenkirchen: Traditional houses and the flair of a typical alpine town. The road leads to the start of the trail.

One of the trails leads to the wild and romantic Schalmei-Gorge. A real insider tip in Garmisch Partenkirchen

Another trail is easier and a broad path which is also the transport path for the cabin. This is certainly a safer choice in winter because the steep mountain trail in the Schalmeischlucht can easily become slippery. Shortly before the Tannenhuette, there is an impressive suspension bridge. Those who have problems with such types of bridges can take a walk around them and reach the cabin without problems. 

The other trail is easier and leads through a majestic mountain forest.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is easily accessible by train from Munich and Innsbruck. Particularly on weekends, the streets are very crowded, thus the train is a good option. Either take a footwalk to Partenkirchen or wait for the bus (Nr.4+5). Trails are leading further around the Wank Mountain massive. There is also a cable car to the top of the Wank.

The modern Tannenhütte is a fascinating destination also for those who are interested in contemporary alpine architecture.

A great scenic viewpoint for hikers, photographers, and videographers.

The whole Zugspitze Mountain range can be seen from here. In the middle is the Alpspitze.

Photographers appreciate the fantastic view over the whole of Garmisch Partenkirchen. The view extends far to the west.

MAGIC ATMOSPHERE ABOVE THE CLOUDS: HIGH-FOG IN THE ALPS

Ideas for landscape photography in the colder season

Autumn is just around the corner. This means the days are getting shorter. The colours change. In some regions like the Alps there is more often high fog, a weather pattern where hills and peaks sometimes are above the clouds.

Fog is interesting for photographers in many ways. It adds mood and atmosphere to the pictures. Fog is useful in landscape pictures to add structure. Of course if the fog is very strong and there is nothing but a white wall it is an obstacle.

Misty days occur mostly in autumn, spring and winter. The change of temperature and moisture creates fog. There are a lot of interesting phenomena connected with fog. Sometimes it is a thin veil above a meadow. On other occasions there are thick layers of fog and the fog lasts the whole days. Sometime the fog is moving, sometimes not. In time-lapse videos the movement of fog is somehow similar to water. The shrouds of mists “float” along mountain peaks.

Since misty air is colder the fog can “fall” like a water-fall for example when fog floats over a ridge into a valley. Fog begins to form often before sunset and lasts in the morning hours. When the sun shines the mist often disappears during the day. However in river valleys like the Danube valley the mist can last much longer. It is often significantly colder in these day.

Fog is more often in regions with wetter soil like bog or wet meadows. It happens in summer too. Shrouds of mist appear after hail showers or after thunderstorms too. In July the first mornings with fog are early harbingers of the changing season. As the days become shorter and the nights getting colder misty mornings happen more often.

Its often hard to say if the fog lifts or disappears during the day. There are many different weather conditions. Fog can be also dangerous when it suddenly forms and the visibility turns to near zero. Drivers are surprised and can’t see a thing. Since conditions on a foggy day can always change quickly it is good for drivers to slow down particularly on motorways and highways when a layer of fog appears.

If the weather is cold fog can lead to hoar frost. Ice crystals form and surround twigs and trees. This a particularly interesting phenomenon.

There is one form of fog which is great for photographers if they are in a regions with hills or mountains. Mostly in autumn there are days with high fog. This happens when a thermal inversion occurs. This means you have low ground temperatures and a layer of higher temperatures above that prevent the convection currents. These convection currents usually mix in the atmosphere. You can think of a thermal inversion like a saucepan lid. It keeps the colder moist air layer with fog from rising. This happens a lot in basins and during periods of high pressure weather when there is not much wind.

The video below was taken in the morning of February 28, 2021 with a Canon 5d Mark2. The time-lapse shows the movement of the shrouds of mist above the hillside between the Hohen Peissenberg and the peaks of the Bavarian mountains. There is a quick change in visibility and a change in lighting condition. For video it is good to go into manual mode and fix aperture before shooting.

At the border between the layer of cold air and the warm air on top the cold air layer there are very interesting effects which are useful for pictures and videos. The challenge is to predict where that border is: Where does the blue sky break through the thick layer of mist? And when does it happen? Actually this is a lot of try and error.

Knowing some good places is “money in the bank”. You might want to get to a hill or mountain which is easily accessible and high enough that you can get above the cold air layer with mist. In Germany, Bavaria the Hohen Peissenberg with its famous old weather observatory is a good spot. Mostly because there is a road to the top of this mountain. The top of the Hohen Peissenberg has an elevation of 987 metres. However on some days the layer of mist will be above your heads and you need to find a higher mountain.

The pictures were taken on a spring day in 2021. That day there was a typical thermal inversion. In the morning the Hohen Peissenberg mountain was in the middle of a thick layer of high fog. But in the following hours the sun broke through and there was a very interesting scenery with fast changing moods and impressions.

The Forest between mist and light

Hoar Frost after a cold night in the mist. When the mist disappears the whitened trees create a unique scenery
Looking towards the Allgäu Mountains

The wilderness near the top of the Hohenpeissenberg Mountain. The fog creates an otherworldly atmosphere.

Panoramic Viewpoint: Hilltop Near Wessobrunn, Upper Bavaria

In Upper Bavaria, you can find an endless number of panoramic viewpoints. Thus the choice might appear a bit arbitrary. There will be certainly more places to be portrayed in the future but recently I discovered a viewpoint I particularly liked because of the extraordinary setting. There is a village nearby, meadows and woods and there is a free sight of the whole chain of mountains in the south.

It is easily accessible because it is close to the famous Wessobrunn monastery, where there is also a parking space, approximately one kilometre from the viewpoint which is basically a small road and a hilltop leading towards Diessen am Ammersee.

I discovered this viewpoint when I did part of the “King Ludwig 2 Trail” between Diessen am Ammersee and Wessobrunn. The viewpoint is certainly the highlight of this section of the trail. It is possible to do this (not recommended if it gets too warm) but there is no restaurant or such thing between Diessen and Wessobrunn. Due to the length of this part, it might be most suitable for a bicycle tour.

Sunday, March 11, was the first really warm day (17 Celsius) after the period of the arctic cold (“Beast From The East”) in Southern Bavaria. This was mostly due to the Foehn-Effect, which happens often during the wintertime. Foehn leads to an unusual rise in the temperature. The air becomes very clear and there is a clear sight of the mountains with many details. This day, however, there was also a special phenomenon, the so-called “Föhnkante”. This is a distinct border between clouds and the clearer part of the sky. It appears when the Foehn-Effect starts to break down. Subsequently, the following days were much colder and more winter-like.

In March there is little green and if the sun is behind higher-clouds colour in the landscape isn’t much appealing. But this time of the year between winter and spring could be interesting to capture structures in photography. After some time where I played a bit around with the pictures, I decided to present it in black and white. Black and white is often an interesting option and could reveal much of the special atmosphere of a place. The trick is not just to switch to black and white but trying different things with the software. There are also very good black and white filters in the NIK-collection software.

The viewpoint can be reached easily: you can use the parking space at the “Tassiloweg” behind the monastery. From there a steep path leads to the “Schloßbergstr.” The “Schloßbergstraße” leads to a settlement called “Haid” but do not walk towards the settlement but straight. The street becomes a small single road (better not go by car there because it is really very narrow and there is no parking space). It is great for a walk. There is also a seat there near the viewpoint and its fantastic for a rest – and of course to take pictures.

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The viewpoint is also not so far from the Hohen Peissenberg. Both places are very suitable for weather-photography. The place near Wessobrunn could be also of particular interest for sunsets or sunrise. It presents a very typical Upper Bavaria landscape setting.

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The most dominant mountain in the silhouette in the south is the Zugspitze. Seen from the viewpoint near Wessobrunn you have the Hohen Peissenberg with the big antenna in the foreground before the Zugspitze. It is good to choose a day like this one with the Foehn-Effect or come very early to capture the whole dimension of the view. The lower hills and the bigger mountains in the background add to the depth of the scenery.

The picture above is taken from the viewpoint and shows the whole Hohen Peissenberg. In the middle, there is a church. On the right side, there is a small tower, which is part of the weather station of Deutsche Wetterdienst. On the left side and also in the picture below is the big antenna.