Iceland Day 5: Glacier Hike
After Foss á Síðu, it was onwards to the glacier wonderland of Skaftafell for some glacier hiking. Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, named after the massive Vatnajökull ice cap, the largest icecap in Iceland as well as in Europe. Skaftafell is located at the southern portion of the ice cap. Other than glaciers, it is also known for the iconic Svartifoss waterfall.As we approach the Skaftafell area, the huge glaciers flowing out from the Vatnajökull ice cap started to come into view. Along the way, we passed by several single lane bridges that cut across the many streams of the Vatnajökull ice cap floodplain. This glacial flood plain is named Skeiðarársandur (Sandur meaning outwash plain). We had to keep a look out for oncoming traffic that was already on the bridge, so that we know when to pull over and wait.
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An information board about the great flood/Jökulhlaup of 1996 that washed away part of the Ring Road. |
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Getting closer to Skafafell. The glaciers begin to loom large. |
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To the right is Svínafellsjökull. You can see a small mini bus driving past it at the bottom. |
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To the left is the larger Skaftafellsjökull. It's as though the Ring Road just disappears into the glacier. |
Blue Ice Experience: http://www.mountainguides.is/day-tours/glacier-tours/from-skaftafell/blue-ice-experience/
We met at the sales lodge at Skaftafell National Park visitor center. There, the guides helped us with picking out on our crampons that we will be wearing under our shoes. Crampons provide the necessary grip to walk safely on glaciers. We were also each provided with an axe that helps with balance and going up steep slopes. After that, we boarded their mini bus for a bumpy ride to the Svínafellsjökull glacier trail head.
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Picking out crampons at the sales lodge. |
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Briefing before walking on the glacier. |
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There were 2 other groups on the glacier too. |
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First, we learned how to hike up a slope. We had to hold the axe in a certain way for safety reasons. |
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Learning how to hike down. Body upright, weight on the ball of the feet. |
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We took turns taking pictures next to the moulin. |
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He sprinted up the steep slope in mere seconds. |
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One last group photo op on the glacier before hiking back to the trail head. |
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Waterfall taking on the colors of the rainbow. |
We stayed at the Hof 1 Hotel: http://hof1.is/hof1hote/. Once again, the scenery around the hotel was ridiculously amazing. The setting was similar to the Lambafell Hotel we stayed at near Skogafoss. Hof 1 hotel is perched on a slope, with green hills behind it, and the vast expanse of the flood plains and the southern coast in front of it. The day continued to be blessed with clear skies and brilliant sunshine. We made the most of it by taking pictures around the hotel and just soaking in the sunshine.
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Middle of nowhere hotels in Iceland done it again! The scenery around the Hof 1 hotel is just absolutely breathtaking. |
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Checking out sheep on the farm land right next to the hotel. |
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Two thumbs up for Icelandic sheep! And the surrounding scenery. |
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Soaking in the amazing scenery and the clear blue sky. Felt itchy after that unfortunately. |
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More of the amazing scenery near Hof 1 Hotel. |
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