The alarm: Trash is a major problem in the mountains

- The other evening we were invited to vodka by our tent neighbors, says hiker Markus Echtermeyer from Germany.

He walks along the trail up to the Tarfala Valley, east of Kebnekaise.

- It was nice, but the problem was that they then left the vodka bottles on the ground. The more people along the joints, the more garbage there will be, he says.

More and more people want to tour the Swedish mountains, and the mountain stations have set visitor records this summer. Upwards of eleven thousand people have climbed Kebnekaise's southern peak, which is a record.

The only problem is that many people leave debris along the trail and in the restroom below the summit, says Marit Sarri, director of Kebnekaise's tourist station. Her staff is allowed to go up and collect the garbage at regular intervals.

- Everything is thrown away. Many people, for example, want to celebrate and toast when they reach the top, and have both champagne bottles and other things with them. And then we find the bottles in the top cabin. It doesn't feel good at all.

- There was also a bike up there for a few seasons. We do not know where it came from or who carried it, she says, and says that it was eventually thrown away by helicopter.

Toilet control has also become an increasing problem along the Kebnekaise area and is currently debating whether the Bajajama should fly to the top. The tourist station also cooperates with organizations such as Keep Sweden clean to inform about the importance of taking into account nature.

- It is forbidden to junk down. We need to be clear and remind you, because I think somewhere that people want to take responsibility. Although convenience sometimes takes over, says Marit Sarri.