Kebnekaise
Encyclopedia
Kebnekaise is the highest mountain in Sweden
and Sápmi. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian Mountains
, has two peaks, of which the southern, glaciated one is highest at 2106 metres (6,909.4 ft) above sea level at the latest time of measurement. The north top (2,097 m) 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, therefore the summit is not as high as earlier. The top is traditionally said to be 2,111 m, and higher in the oldest measurement, i.e. 2,117 m. 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.
A mountain lodge, Kebnekaise mountain lodge
(Kebnekaise fjällstation), is located at the foot of Kebnekaise, ca. 19 km, 6–7 hrs from Nikkaluokta
. It is the starting point for an ascent via the western route (västra leden, ca. 13 km, 4–6 hrs to the summit) or the eastern route (östra leden, ca. 10 km, 3–5 hrs to the summit). The western route leads over scree slopes and the intermediate top 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
. The eastern route, however, leads over glaciers and rocks (UIAA grade I-II) and is equipped with fixed, steel cables similar to a via ferrata
.
There is also a third, less popular route only marked with cairns
- Dürlings route, which branches off Kungsleden
from 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 the unnamed peak west of Vierranvárri. One should keep on the eastern side of the stream running down this valley until the route merges with Västra leden. Some people, such as those with acrophobia
or wanting to summit with heavy backpacks may see benefits with this route as not really a single point is exposed - however, passing through very rough scree and rock terrain is required especially in the slopes leading up to the valley between Vierránvarri and Kebnekaise (Kaffedalen).
In mainland Europe, there are no higher mountains further north (there is, however, a higher point at Beerenberg
on the island of Jan Mayen
). It is said 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
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and Sápmi. The Kebnekaise massif, which is part of the Scandinavian Mountains
Scandinavian Mountains
The Scandinavian Mountains or the Scandes, in Swedish Skanderna, Fjällen or Kölen , in Finnish Köli and in Norwegian Kjølen, with the three latter meaning The Keel, are a mountain range that runs through the Scandinavian Peninsula...
, has two peaks, of which the southern, glaciated one is highest at 2106 metres (6,909.4 ft) above sea level at the latest time of measurement. The north top (2,097 m) is free of ice. Kebnekaise lies in Lapland, about 150 kilometres (ca. 90 miles) north of the Arctic Circle
Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. For Epoch 2011, it is the parallel of latitude that runs north of the Equator....
and west of Kiruna
Kiruna
Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in Lapland province, with 18,154 inhabitants in 2005. It is the seat of Kiruna Municipality Kiruna (Northern Sami: Giron, Finnish: Kiiruna) is the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in Lapland province, with 18,154 inhabitants in 2005. It is...
near the popular Kungsleden
Kungsleden
Kungsleden is a hiking trail in northern Sweden, approximately long, between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. It passes through one of Europe's largest remaining wilderness areas.-The trail:...
hiking trail between Abisko
Abisko
Abisko is a village in northern Sweden, near the Abisko National Park located 4 km west of the village. It had 85 inhabitants as of 2005.-Transportation:...
and Nikkaluokta
Nikkaluokta
Nikkaluokta is a Swedish Sami village in Norrbotten County. The village belongs to Gällivare Municipality, bordering Kiruna Municipality, the closest urban area some 60 kilometers away...
.
The glacier has shrunk, therefore the summit is not as high as earlier. The top is traditionally said to be 2,111 m, and higher in the oldest measurement, i.e. 2,117 m. 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.
A mountain lodge, Kebnekaise mountain lodge
Kebnekaise mountain lodge
Kebnekaise mountain lodge , elev 690 m, is situated at the base of Mount Kebnekaise, 19 km west of Nikkaluokta, which in turn is situated 66 km west of Kiruna in Lappland, Sweden....
(Kebnekaise fjällstation), is located at the foot of Kebnekaise, ca. 19 km, 6–7 hrs from Nikkaluokta
Nikkaluokta
Nikkaluokta is a Swedish Sami village in Norrbotten County. The village belongs to Gällivare Municipality, bordering Kiruna Municipality, the closest urban area some 60 kilometers away...
. It is the starting point for an ascent via the western route (västra leden, ca. 13 km, 4–6 hrs to the summit) or the eastern route (östra leden, ca. 10 km, 3–5 hrs to the summit). The western route leads over scree slopes and the intermediate top Vierranvárri
Vierranvárri
Vierranvárri is a mountain situated between Duolbagorni and Giebmegáisi in Lapland in northern Sweden.The western trail to the summit of Giebmegáisi goes right over Vierranvárri, so hikers choosing that route lose 200 meters in altitude before starting to mount the actual Giebmegáisi...
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
Scrambling
Scrambling is a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. It is an ambiguous term that lies somewhere between hillwalking and rock climbing. It is often distinguished from hillwalking by defining a scramble as a route where hands must be used in the ascent...
. The eastern route, however, leads over glaciers and rocks (UIAA grade I-II) and is equipped with fixed, steel cables similar to a via ferrata
Via ferrata
A via ferrata or klettersteig is a mountain route which is equipped with fixed cables, stemples, ladders, and bridges. The use of these allows otherwise isolated routes to be joined to create longer routes which are accessible to people with a wide range of climbing abilities...
.
There is also a third, less popular route only marked with cairns
Cairn
Cairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas...
- Dürlings route, which branches off Kungsleden
Kungsleden
Kungsleden is a hiking trail in northern Sweden, approximately long, between Abisko in the north and Hemavan in the south. It passes through one of Europe's largest remaining wilderness areas.-The trail:...
from 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 the unnamed peak west of Vierranvárri. One should keep on the eastern side of the stream running down this valley until the route merges with Västra leden. Some people, such as those with acrophobia
Acrophobia
Acrophobia is an extreme or irrational fear of heights. It belongs to a category of specific phobias, called space and motion discomfort that share both similar etiology and options for treatment.Most people experience a degree of natural fear when exposed to heights, especially if there is little...
or wanting to summit with heavy backpacks may see benefits with this route as not really a single point is exposed - however, passing through very rough scree and rock terrain is required especially in the slopes leading up to the valley between Vierránvarri and Kebnekaise (Kaffedalen).
In mainland Europe, there are no higher mountains further north (there is, however, a higher point at Beerenberg
Beerenberg
Beerenberg is a stratovolcano which forms the northeastern end of the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen. It is the world's northernmost subaerial active volcano...
on the island of Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen Island is a volcanic island in the Arctic Ocean and part of the Kingdom of Norway. It is long and 373 km2 in area, partly covered by glaciers . It has two parts: larger northeast Nord-Jan and smaller Sør-Jan, linked by an isthmus wide...
). It is said that an area (of both Sweden and Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
) 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
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.