The mountain rescue is alerted to Kebnekaise - three days in a row

Just in the last week, the mountain rescue in Norrbotten has gone out three days in a row to rescue mountain visitors from Sweden's highest mountain, Kebnekaise. It has been about people with pain, injuries and hypothermia.

- It can be a combination of not being physically ready and the fact that the weather can change very quickly. If you go up Kebnekaise, you can quickly get tired, sweaty, wet and cold. Then you need to be prepared for it, and not everyone is, says Stefan Källström, business developer for mountain rescue in Norrbotten.

He has worked with mountain rescue for a long time and met many stranded people.

- I have seen people who are going to climb Kebnekaise with sneakers, gym shoes and a t-shirt. And then you have a backpack with some sandwiches and a thermos. It is not enough. It's no ordinary walk, says Stefan Källström.

So far this summer, the mountain rescue in Norrbotten has had 24 rescue missions. Last summer, the result was a total of approximately 50 assignments in the county. Stefan Källström does not want to speculate on what the final figure will be this year.

He urges mountain visitors to read up properly before the hike and carefully review what equipment is needed to head out into the open spaces.

- If you are injured, get hurt or get sick, we will of course send out the mountain rescue. But depending on the weather and circumstances, it can sometimes take a while before you get help. You can be far from infrastructure, says Stefan Källström.

Interest in Kebnekaise remains high, according to Maria Ros Hjelm, secretary general and CEO of the Swedish Tourist Association, STF.

- Sweden's highest mountain does not only attract people who want to climb to the top. We also see that the surrounding environment is attractive, even if you don't think you're going up. There is, for example, a fantastically beautiful tour in the valley around the mountain station, she says.

At the same time, Kebnekaise is affected by climate change. Last year, STF chose to pause the guided summit tours along the eastern trail. The background is above all increased rock erosion and changes in the glacier, says Maria Ros Hjelm.

- We need to learn more. When does the risk of rock fall increase? Can we draw parallels to a certain weather change? This is what we are trying to map. We join hands with researchers and other experts to piece together the puzzle so that we understand what is causing the changes and whether there are patterns.

The guiding along the western trail, which is longer but not as technically difficult, continues as usual this summer. Regardless of destination in the Swedish mountains, Maria Ros Hjelm urges travelers to take care of each other.

- I still feel that many who come have prepared. But of course there are beginners. Those of us who are a little more experienced need to help. We will share our tips, not only beforehand but also during the trip, for example on the train journey up north.