Kebnekaise
Kebnekaise ( Northern Sami)
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Parent range | Scandinavian Mountains |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 22 August 1883 by Charles Rabot |
Easiest route | rock/ice walk; most popular route includes simple scrambling |
Kebnekaise (Swedish pronunciation:
Geography
The Kebnekaise massif lies within a range of the Scandinavian mountains that is bordered by the
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 was 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.
The massif is heavily
Permafrost is widely distributed in the Kebnekaise massif. This is supported by a 100 m deep drilling in bedrock in the Tarfala Valley at the foot of the Kebnekaise. The borehole above the Tarfala research station at an altitude of 1540 meters shows a year-round stable rock temperature of −2.75 °C at a depth of 100 m, which, according to the geothermal gradient indicates a permafrost thickness of about 330 meters. In consequence, the much higher Kebnekaise must show a permafrost thickness of several hundred meters.[8]
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 9% of Sweden.[9]
Climbing routes
Just below the top plateau is an old smaller cabin at 1,880 metres (6,170 ft) altitude. A large cabin used to stand below the plateau, near the smaller one, until September 2018, when it was demolished by the county administration due to being too worn. A cabin up on the plateau was opened in 2016[10] as a replacement.[11]
The peak glacier is a small top, merely tens of meters high, on a rocky plateau. To approach the actual mountaintop 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.[12] This danger might not always be apparent, even when there is good 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[citation needed] 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.
Climbing history
The first ascent to the summit was made on 22 August 1883 by an expedition led by Charles Rabot from France with the locals Jon Larsson, Hans Monsen and Peder Abrahamsson Lindgren. They started from the Skjomen fjord, Norway since the first railway in the region was built 1888. This was only published later. More media attention was given to the first Swedish expedition led by Johan Alfred Björling who summited on 9 July 1889.
The Kebnekaise mountain lodge was opened in 1908, starting more substantial tourism to the mountain.
The fastest ascent from the mountain lodge to the summit and back is 1:47:17 made on 9 July 2020 by Petter Engdahl.[13] The fastest woman is Emelie Forsberg in 2:00:40 done on 7 July 2014.
Norwegian military plane crash
On 15 March 2012 a RNoAF Lockheed Martin C-130J Super 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
See also
Gallery
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The western route marked with red dots.
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The oldest of the cabins close to the peak; standing at an 1880-meter altitude, built in 1924.[14]
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Mountaineers on Kebnekaise, early 20th century.
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The peak glacier seen from the trail, rising from a nearly flat plateau.
References
- .
- ^ "Mountains I have climbed and remember". uib.no.
- ^ "Word: Kebnekaise: Pronunciation in Swedish". Forvo: All the words of the world. Pronounced. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
- .
- ^ Malin Olofsson, "Toppskifte på Kebnekaise" Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, Sveriges Radio, 15 June 2007, retrieved 27 March 2012 (in Swedish)
- ^ Kebnekaises sydtopp – högst i Sverige? Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, fjallklubben.org (broken link)
- ^ Emil Östlund, "Sydtoppen växer på Kebnekaise", Sveriges Radio 23 July 2015, retrieved 27 October 2015 (in Swedish)
- .
- ^ "Reportage". swedenoffroad.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
- ^ "Ny toppstuga på Kebnekaise". Archived from the original on 2017-07-01. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
- ^ "Kebnekaises toppstuga nedbränd – NSD". 7 September 2018.
- ^ "Fjällvandrare föll 400 meter". Aftonbladet.
- ^ "Kebnekaise (Sweden)".
- ^ "Toppstugorna > Boende > Kebnekaise". kebnekaise.nu. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14.