Kjerag

Kjerag
Kiragg

Lysefjorden seen from the northern cliff of Kjerag
Highest point
Elevation 1,110 m (3,640 ft)
Coordinates 59°01′14″N 06°34′39″E / 59.02056°N 6.57750°E / 59.02056; 6.57750Coordinates: 59°01′14″N 06°34′39″E / 59.02056°N 6.57750°E / 59.02056; 6.57750
Geography
Map of the location
Kjerag

Location in Rogaland

Location Rogaland, Norway
State/Province NO
Topo map 1313 III Lyngsvatnet
Climbing
Easiest route Øygardsstølen

Kjerag or Kiragg is a mountain in Forsand municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. The 1,110-metre (3,640 ft) tall mountain sits on the southern shore of the Lysefjorden, just southwest of the village of Lysebotn. Its northern side is a massive cliff, plunging 984 metres (3,228 ft) almost straight down into the Lysefjorden, a sight which attracts many visitors each year. Another tourist attraction, the Kjeragbolten, a 5-cubic-metre (180 cu ft) stone wedged between two rocks is located on the mountain. The Kjeragfossen waterfall plunges off the mountain down to the fjord. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.[1][2]

Kjerag is a popular hiking destination. Some go there because Preikestolen has become too crowded, some to jump onto Kjeragbolten and some BASE jumpers from all over the world go there to jump off the high cliffs. Kjerag is also a popular climbing destination, with many difficult routes going up its steep faces.[2]

The easiest ascent starts from the visitors center Øygardsstølen, with a 2.5-3-hour walk each way. From Stavanger, it is roughly a 2-hour drive (closed in winter season). One can also take the tourist ferry from Lauvvik to Lysebotn in summer. The best season for walking is considered late June to September depending on snow conditions.[3]

Kjeragbolten

Main article: Kjeragbolten

Kjeragbolten is a 5-cubic-metre (180 cu ft) boulder wedged in a mountain crevice by the edge of the Kjerag mountain (59°2′1.3″N 6°35′34.9″E / 59.033694°N 6.593028°E / 59.033694; 6.593028). It is possible to walk onto the rock without any equipment, but there is a direct 241-metre (791 ft) drop below and then another 735-metre (2,411 ft) gradient down to the Lysefjorden. The name means "Kjerag Boulder" or "Kjerag Bolt".

BASE jumping

Kjerag has become a popular BASE jumping destination. From 1994 to 2008 29,000 jumps were performed.[4]

During this time period, there were ten fatal accidents. A list of jumpers who perished at Kjerag is provided below:[5][6]

In the Norwegian documentary film Loop, Kristen Reagan climbs up the 1,000-metre (3,300 ft) drop before BASE jumping off the same cliff.[8]

Name

The name is possibly a compound of kje which means 'kid' and ragg which means 'goat's hair, shag'. The rough surface of the mountainside has been compared with the shaggy hair of a kid goat.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kjeragfossen". World Waterfall Database.
  2. 1 2 Store norske leksikon. "Kjerag" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  3. ↑ Carlsen, Gard. "Trip to Kjerag".
  4. ↑ Jøssing, Tor Inge (2008-09-12). "2700 vellykkede hopp fra Kjerag". Stavanger Aftenblad (in Norwegian).
  5. ↑ Gregersen, Ann Mari (2005-07-20). "Ni dødsulykker". Stavanger Aftenbladet (in Norwegian).
  6. ↑ "BASE Fatality List". BLiNC Magazine Forum.
  7. ↑ Gibson, Jano (2005-07-22). "Peter Pan's fatal jump". Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. ↑ Loop at the Internet Movie Database
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