Yoke (mountains)
Joch is a name in the Alpine region for the lowest section of the ridge between two mountain peaks or mountain ranges . In the former case, yoke is only identical in meaning with the more general geographical expression Scharte , in the latter case also with the expression pass .
Similar to the pass, the term yoke is mostly used for the road or the path that leads over a particularly low ridge section to get from one valley to the next. Examples of this are the Timmelsjoch and the Stilfser Joch .
The term “yoke” in connection with passages in the mountains mostly indicates prehistoric use. Finds and names refer to it. The ice mummy Ötzi was found on the Tisenjoch , a transition from Schnalstal to Ötztal . Another crossing from the Schnalstal leads over the Bildstöckljoch into the Matscher Tal (see picture).
In certain areas the term yoke is also used for mountain peaks, e.g. B. Gamsjoch , Kreuzjoch , Sonnjoch ( Karwendel ), Vorderes Sonnwendjoch ( Rofan ).
There are other names for the transition, such as Tor , Törl , Schartl , Jöchl , Jochli , Egg , Gatterl or Nieder . A demarcation is not possible, as this is language-related and also varies regionally.