Kebnekaise
- See Kebnekajse for the Swedish band.
| Kebnekaise | |
|---|---|
 Kebnekaise, view from Tuolpagorni |
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| Elevation | 2,106 m (6,909 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,750 m (5,741 ft)[2] |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Location | |
 Kebnekaise
|
|
| Range | Scandinavian Mountains |
| Coordinates | 67°53′00″N 18°33′00″E / 67.88333°N 18.55000°ECoordinates: 67°53′00″N 18°33′00″E / 67.88333°N 18.55000°E |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1883 by Charles Rabot |
| Easiest route | rock/ice walk; most popular route includes simple scrambling |
Kebnekaise (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 peaks, of which the southern, glaciated one is highest at 2,106 metres (6,909 ft) above sea level at the latest time of measurement. The north top (2,097 metres (6,880 ft)) is free of ice. Kebnekaise lies in Lapland, about 150 kilometres (ca. 90 miles) north of the Arctic Circle and west of Kiruna near the popular Kungsleden hiking trail between Abisko and Nikkaluokta.
The glacier has shrunk, 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.[3][4]
A mountain lodge, Kebnekaise mountain lodge (Kebnekaise fjällstation), is located at the foot of Kebnekaise, ca. 19 km, 6–7 hours from Nikkaluokta. It is the starting point for an ascent via the western route (västra leden, ca. 13 km, 4–6 hours to the summit) or the eastern route (östra leden, ca. 10 km, 3–5 hours to the summit). The western route leads over scree slopes and the intermediate peak Vierranvárri to the glaciated summit. 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). It is however equipped with fixed steel cables for protection, similar to a via ferrata.
There is also a third, more uncommon route only marked with cairns - "Durlings led", which branches off Kungsleden a few kilometers north of Singi, goes about two kilometers into the southern side of Singivagge, and then turns north into the valley between Kuopertjåkka and Singipakte (peak 1614). Some people, such as those with acrophobia or wanting to summit with heavy backpacks, may see benefits with this route as not a single point on it is exposed. "Durlings led" eventually merges with the western route close to the summit.
About 300 altitude meters below the top, one encounters the peak cabins. After the cabins, the trail continues through a rocky landscape and the slope progressively ceases. The peak glacier is a small top, merely tens of meters high, in a nearly flat landscape as seen from the trail.
To approach the actual mountain top on the peak glacier, crampons or other means of enhancing traction might at times be required. 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.[6] This danger might not always be apparent, especially not in times of bad weather and visibility.
Due to the harsh climate at the location, Kebnekaise sees the vast majority of climbers during the summer months (late June to early September). In mainland Europe, there are no higher mountains further north[citation needed] (there is, however, a higher point at Beerenberg on the island of Jan Mayen). It is said[by whom?] that an area (of both Sweden and Norway) corresponding to 9% of Sweden's surface area can be seen from the summit, which approximates to more than 40,000 km² – almost the size of the Netherlands.
References [edit]
- ^ "Statistisk årsbok 2011" (in Swedish). Statistics Sweden. p. 10. Archived from the original on 5 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ^ Mountains I have climbed and remember
- ^ Malin Olofsson, "Toppskifte på Kebnekaise", Sveriges Radio, 15 June 2007, retrieved 27 March 2012 (Swedish)
- ^ Kebnekaises sydtopp – högst i Sverige?, fjallklubben.org (broken link)
- ^ http://www.kebnekaise.nu/se/boende/toppstugorna.php
- ^ http://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/article7275527.ab
External links [edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kebnekaise |
- Photo gallery on Marco Klüber Photography
- Ski touring reports from Swedish mountains, including Kebnekaise (English)
