The mountain was given its present name in 1855 by the Austrian chemist and cartographer, Franz Keil. Because of its isolated situation the Großer Geiger has a significant dominance. With its distinctive, symmetric, pyramidal shape and its mighty northwest face which rises 350 metres above the Obersulzbachkees glacier at a gradient of 50°, it is the most prominent landmark in the entire Upper Sulzbach valley. Arêtes radiate from the summit in all four directions of the compass. The mountain is easy to reach and is thus a popular touring and climbing destination. It was first climbed on 20 August 1871 by the Alpinist, Richard Issler, and mountain guide, Michael Groder from the Johannis Hut to the south.