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Last updated: March 17, 2001	Unless otherwise specified; text, tables, photographs, maps and other graphics © 1999-2001 Gunnar Ljungstrand
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The glaciers of the Räita massif

The Räita massif lies between Stuor-Räitavagge, Vistasvagge and Kaskasavagge in central Kebnekaise. Its highest peak is Räitatjåkka (1934 m), and it contains 14 glaciers. The massif is the proper heart of the Kebnekaise mountains with the spectacular valley Unna Räitavagge, crossing the massif.

Table over the glaciers of the Räita massif with basic data

1. Alep Räitatjåkkajekna

Alep Räitatjåkkajekna (0.31 km²) is a steep cirque glacier on the north side of Räitatjåkka. It is heavily crevassed and ends in a small icefall at the top of a cliff.

2. Lulep Räitatjåkkajekna

Lulep Räitatjåkkajekna (0.98 km²) is a substantial cirque glacier on the east side of Räitatjåkka. It seems to be fairly even and crevasse-free.

3. Årjep Räitatjåkkajekna

Årjep Räitatjåkkajekna (0.32 km²) is an ice cap on the south side of Räitatjåkka.

4. Vaktpostglaciären

Vaktpostglaciären (1.12 km²) is a large and complex cirque glacier on the north side of Vaktposten.

It has massive (probably ice-cored) terminal moraines, damming up a small lake, where the ice is calving.

The ice-cliff, some 20 m high, is created by the lifting action of the water on the ice (ice being lighter than water).

Vaktpostglaciären is an active and rather crevassed glacier, with a small icefall up in one of the accumulation areas.

5. Alep Räitajekna

Alep Räitajekna (1.85 km²) is a valley glacier north of Tjäktjahjälmen. Previously it was continuos with Lulep Räitajekna by a glacier pass, but now a rock ridge has melted into view (1475 m). The glacier is even and mostly free of crevasses, except in the uppermost parts.

6. Lulep Räitajekna

Lulep Räitajekna (1.64 km²) is a valley glacier north of Knivkammen. Earlier in the 20th century it was continuos with Alep Räitajekna, but now the pass at some 1475 m is melted clear. Räitajaurejekna is a disconnected part of the glacier.

The glacier previously extended down into the lake Pajep Räitajaure. It is even and crevasse-free except in the upper parts.

7. Räitajaurejekna

Räitajaurejekna (0.08 km²) is a small disconnected part of Lulep Räitajekna, extending into the lake. It hasnīt melted away or become dead ice, however. It has its own accumulation area, and is a true, if small, glacier.

8. Västra Knivkamsglaciären

Västra Knivkamsglaciären (0.62 km²) is a cirque glacier on the south side of Knivkammen. It starts by an ice plateau and extends down into a steep valley. The glacier, previously continuos with Mellersta Knivkamsglaciären has some crevasses.

9. Mellersta Knivkamsglaciären

Mellersta Knivkamsglaciären (0.44 km²) is an ice cap south of Knivkammen. Previously it was continuos with Västra Knivkamsglaciären and Östra Knivkamsglaciären, and is practically free of crevasses.

10. Östra Knivkamsglaciären

Östra Knivkamsglaciären (0.42 km²) is a cirque glacier on the south side of Knivkammen. Previously it was continuos with Mellersta Knivkamsglaciären.

The glacier is relatively poor in crevasses, excepting the steeper parts, but has some meltwater streams.

11. Norra Pyramidglaciären

Norra Pyramidglaciären (0.13 km²) is an ice cap east of Knivkammen. Previously it was continuos with Södra Pyramidglaciären, before it fragmented. Earlier the glacier reached down to the bottom of Unna Räitavagge, and its former bed is difficult to cross with deep mud.

12. Södra Pyramidglaciären

Södra Pyramidglaciären (0.24 km²) is a cirque glacier west of Pyramiden. Previously it was continuos with Norra Pyramidglaciären, and is relatively free of crevasses. The northernmost of the three passes of īthe yo-yo trailī is reached from this glacier (1470 m).

13. Östra Pyramidglaciären

Östra Pyramidglaciären (0.61 km²) is a cirque glacier east of Pyramiden. Also from this glacier it is possible to cross the massif (pass point 1475 m).

14. Nipalsjekna

Nipalsjekna (1.16 km²) is an ice cap on the east slope of Nipals.

	Top of document	The glaciers of the Sielma massif	The glaciers of Kebnekaise	The glaciers of the Kebnekaise massif	Site map	Email the author	Copyleft information	Detta dokument på svenska
Last updated: March 17, 2001	Unless otherwise specified; text, tables, photographs, maps and other graphics © 1999-2001 Gunnar Ljungstrand
	Images with size information (xx kB) leads to the corresponding image in 4 x better resolution.