Climate change drives more rockfalls on Kebnekaise

Rockfalls are becoming more frequent and dangerous around Kebnekaise as climate change thaws permafrost, according to SVT.

People working in the mountains say falling rocks have become a growing hazard in the area.

“You have to hide behind rocks until the fall has passed, then move carefully uphill, using them like a breastwork,” mountain guide Martin Lundberg told SVT.

At an altitude of 1,135 metres in the shadow of Kebnekaise, the Tarfala research station studies some of Sweden’s largest glaciers. Glaciologist and station director Nina Kirchner said the glaciers are melting at a record pace.

“We no longer need to look at photographs from 100 years ago to see a difference. We see it happening continuously,” she said.

As temperatures rise, permafrost that holds the ground in place also thaws. Combined with heavy precipitation, this creates conditions for more frequent and larger rockfalls, including in places where they have not previously occurred, Kirchner said.

Eastern route closed to guided tours

There are two main routes to the summit of Kebnekaise. The Swedish Tourist Association has kept the shorter eastern route closed to guided tours for two years because of rockfalls, glacier crevasses and changing snow conditions.

“At the moment, we guide groups along the western route and have paused guided tours on the eastern route. One of the factors is the increase in rockfalls,” said Anna Östberg, acting sports manager at Kebnekaise mountain station.

Lundberg, who has climbed Kebnekaise 259 times since 1994, said the mountains had become a riskier environment for hikers. He said he had experienced several rockfalls, some of them coming close.