In the late 19th century, a race was fought to be the first to reach the summit of Sweden’s highest mountain, Kebnekaise. Today, it stands as one of Sweden’s most popular destinations for hiking, outdoor activities, and alpine challenges.
It remains unclear whether the cartographer Wilhelm Bucht from Luleå or the French geographer and mountaineer Charles Rabot was the first to lead an expedition to the summit of Sweden’s then highest point, the South Peak of Kebnekaise.
Bucht was already there in 1880 to map and measure the altitude of the mountain area, but there is no documentation of a specific ascent of Kebnekaise. It is known, however, that Rabot and three companions reached the South Peak in 1883.
The South Peak, which has a glacier as its uppermost layer, has melted significantly in recent years, and today the rocky North Peak is considered Sweden’s highest point. The North Peak measures 2,097 meters (6,880 feet) above sea level, and this change is estimated to have occurred as recently as 2019-2020.
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