Kebnekaise

Kebnekaise
Eastern slopes of Kebnekaise as seen from the Tarfala Valley
Highest point
Elevation 2,099 m (6,886 ft) [1]
Prominence 1,750 m (5,740 ft) [2]
Isolation 757 kilometres (470 mi)
Listing Country high point
Ultra
Coordinates 67°54′00″N 18°31′00″E / 67.90000°N 18.51667°E / 67.90000; 18.51667Coordinates: 67°54′00″N 18°31′00″E / 67.90000°N 18.51667°E / 67.90000; 18.51667 
Geography
Kebnekaise
Parent range Scandinavian Mountains
Climbing
First ascent 1883 by Charles Rabot
Easiest route rock/ice walk; most popular route includes simple scrambling

Kebnekaise (Swedish pronunciation: [kɛbnɛ²kajsɛ];[3] from Sami Giebmegáisi or Giebnegáisi, "Cauldron Crest") is the highest mountain in Sweden. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian Mountains, has two main peaks, of which the southern, glaciated one is highest at 2,097.5 metres (6,882 ft) above sea level as of August 2014. The northern peak is 2,096.8 metres (6,879 ft) and free of ice.[1] Kebnekaise lies in Sapmi, about 150 kilometres (93 mi) north of the Arctic Circle and west of Kiruna near the Kungsleden hiking trail between Abisko and Hemavan.

Due to the shrinkage of the glacier surrounding the southern peak, it is possible the northern peak will assume the title of the highest point in Sweden; as of Summer 2016 the difference in altitude was just 30 centimetres (12 in).[4] By August of 2018, because of record heat, enough of the glacier on the southern peak had melted so that the northern peak is now the highest.[5] However it is likely the height of the southern peak will increase in the winter so that it may regain its title as the highest peak.

Geography

The Kebnekaise massif lies within a range of the Scandinavian mountains that is bordered by the glacial valleys Ladtjovagge (Sami spelling Láddjuvággi), Tjäktjavagge (Čeakčavággi) and Vistasvagge (Visttasvággi). The highest points of the massif lie along the ridge (called "vargryggen" in Swedish) that runs from the southern and northern summits to Kebnepakte (Giebmebákti) at 1,990 metres (6,530 ft). Other subsidiary peaks are Kebnetjåkka (Giebmečohkka), Vierranvárri, Tolpagorni 1,662 metres (5,453 ft) , Guobircohkka 1,506 metres (4,941 ft), and Siŋŋibákti 1,614 metres (5,295 ft).

Of the two highest points, the southern peak lies on a glacier situated on a rocky plateau. The glacier has shrunk in recent years, and therefore the summit is not as high as earlier. The top is traditionally said to be 2,111 metres (6,926 ft), and higher in the oldest measurement, i.e. 2,117 metres (6,946 ft). If the melting continues at the same rate, the south peak will sink below the north peak (which is the highest fixed point in Sweden) within a few years' time.[6][7] However, as of July 2015, Tarfala Research Station reports that the glacier has grown by 4.5 to 2,102 metres (15 to 6,896 ft) — from its lowest measurement of 2,097.5 metres (6,882 ft) the previous year.[8]

The massif is heavily glaciated, with Kebnepakteglaciären, Isfallsglaciären, and Storglaciären towards Tarfala valley to the east, Björlings glacier to the southeast, and Rabots glaciär to the west, plus several smaller glaciers throughout the area.

In Europe there are no higher mountains further north. During clear weather, a vast area can be seen from the summit, according to some sources as much as 10% of Sweden.[9]

Climbing routes

Kebnekaise mountain lodge (Kebnekaise fjällstation) is located to the southeast at the foot of Kebnekaise, about 19 kilometres (12 mi), 6–7 hours hike from the trailhead at Nikkaluokta. It is the starting point for an ascent to the south summit via the western route (västra leden, about 18 kilometres (11 mi), 5-7 hours to the summit) or the eastern route (östra leden, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), 3–5 hours to the summit). The western route leads over steep scree slopes and the intermediate peak Vierranvárri. Most of this route to the top is pure hiking, but there is a short exposed part that could possibly count as scrambling (YDS grade 2). The eastern route leads over glaciers and rocks and offers exposure (YDS grade 4). The steepest section is equipped with fixed steel cables for protection, similar to a via ferrata. There is also a third, less known route only marked with cairns — "Durlings led", which branches off Kungsleden a few kilometers north of Singi, goes about two kilometers into Singivagge, and then turns north into the valley between Kuopertjåkka and Siŋŋibákti. "Durlings led" eventually merges with the western route at "Kaffedalen", the pass between Vierranvárri and Kebnekaise. Advantages with this route are lack of exposure and a shorter ascent if Singivagge is used for an overnight camp.

Just below the top plateau one encounters the two older peak cabins at 1,880 metres (6,170 ft) of altitude. A new cabin on the plateau was opened in 2016.[10]

The peak glacier is a small top, merely tens of meters high, on a rocky plateau. To approach the actual mountain top on the glacier, crampons or other means of enhancing traction may be required, depending on snow conditions. The glacier should be walked upon with great caution; fatal accidents have occurred with people sliding off into the huge void on the eastern side.[11] This danger might not always be apparent, especially not in times of bad weather and visibility.

Routes to the northern summit, including one via the narrow, icy arête from the southern summit, require mountaineering equipment and skills.

Due to the harsh subarctic climate at the location, Kebnekaise sees the vast majority of climbers during the summer months (late June to early September). However, Kebnekaise is also an established destination for winter alpinism and guided skiing tours are organised by the STF lodge's guides.

Norwegian plane crash

On 15 March 2012 a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules military aircraft crashed into the western snowy mountain side a short distance below the ridge that runs between the mountain's two highest peaks. Five Norwegian officers were killed.

Panorama

Panoramic view from the top, June 2007

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Tarfala forskningsstation" (in Swedish). Stockholm University. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Mountains I have climbed and remember". uib.no.
  3. ↑ "Word: Kebnekaise: Pronunciation in Swedish". Forvo: All the words of the world. Pronounced. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  4. ↑ Turlua T (August 24, 2017). "Sweden's highest mountain peak is melting so fast that it's inches away from becoming the second-highest". Business Insider. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  5. ↑ Anderson C (2 August 2018). "Sweden's Tallest Peak Shrinks in Record Heat". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ Malin Olofsson, "Toppskifte på Kebnekaise" Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine., Sveriges Radio, 15 June 2007, retrieved 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
  7. ↑ Kebnekaises sydtopp – högst i Sverige?, fjallklubben.org (broken link)
  8. ↑ Emil Östlund, "Sydtoppen växer på Kebnekaise", Sveriges Radio 23 July 2015, retrieved 27 October 2015 (in Swedish)
  9. ↑ "Reportage". swedenoffroad.com.
  10. ↑ "Ny toppstuga på Kebnekaise".
  11. ↑ "Fjällvandrare föll 400 meter". Aftonbladet.
  12. ↑ "Toppstugorna > Boende > Kebnekaise". kebnekaise.nu. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14.
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