EU Part 8 Iceland 2 Glaciers
Sunday, 28 April 2019 6:16 pm
No! The sun could not find Iceland, so we gave that ‘F” road a miss and headed south to the numerous Glacier tongues.
The Jökulsarlon glacier evades us in the low cloud.
But the icebergs it calves gives us a photographic delight.
Even this seal swam past at an appropriate time.
But the real highlight was the icebergs on the black sand beach
If you are into Diamonds then this is the one to have.
D Colour
VVS Clarity - Some small Volcanic dust impurities.
Slight Blue Fluorescence
AND ABOUT 20KG !
Shame it will only last a day or two !
The Fjallsárlón Glacier.
We join a zodiac tour around the icebergs and glacier face.
At 5.30pm the sun comes out and gives us a glimpse of what we are missing
Camp E93: Up a Track Camp
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 68 metres
Temp: +5.8 *C
Today 102 Kms
EU Total : 8,302 Km
Sunday 28th April 2019:
The Svínafellslón Glacier.
AH !
And I see at rough 4x4 track that leads to its base.
Lets go !
Right at the base, it is only now a walk of 50 metres to the ice face.
Other ‘Super Trucks’ are parked here as it is the base for Glacier trekking with crampons and ice picks.
And then there is this sign ,
So what did we do ?
Walk up to the very throat of this monster.
...but we did resist climbing on its back
The Svartifoss falls that appear on many island brochures.
It’s about a 45 minute walk from the car park.
Our final and actual first view of the Vatnajökull Ice Plateau, ( the big white mass behind the mountains) source of all the glaciers in this area including the spectacular Skeidarajökull Glacier.
Strange thinks happen in Iceland.
Water falls that go down then half way they go back up into the air.
Old lava fields completely covered with moss.
Camp E94: Lava Moss Camp
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 90metres
Temp: +5.2 *C
Today 193 Kms
EU Total : 8,499 Km
Monday 28th April 2019:
Just could not resist yet another photograph of this moss covered lava.
It covers an area of many square kilometres.
Another geological interest.
These Pseudocreaters were formed in 934 with the volcano Eldgja erupted and the lava entered wetlands. As the molten lava enters the water the hot front is pushing forward as the surrounds cool. The whole mass then sinks into the soft mud. As this happens, vents to the surface open up and lava spills out creating these mini rootless volcanic cones.
In this area was also a farm, that was destroyed in 894 by the volcanic eruption of Katla.
The owner lost his life, and ever since then, those who passed by for the first time added a stone to the monument to bring him good luck for his journey in the afterlife.
This is our addition.
Still raining, cold and windy so a visit to a seaside to watch the rollers come in.
We try very hard to avoid the crowds by travelling remote roads, and out of season travel, but sometimes tourists just fill the picture.
AND...this is out of season for Iceland but still very busy at the top spots.
My end of day Rum.
But this time iced with some 500 year old glacial ice i collected previously.
Tastes great but there is another reason for this ‘medication’
Tonight we are camped only 9kms from Icelands most famous and most active volcano - Hekla
The volcano Hekla means ‘hooded one’ and is currently as usual, shrouded in cloud. Its first recorded eruption was in 1104 when it wiped out everything in a radius of 50kms. Since then, there have been 15 major eruptions. The most recent eruption was is 2000 and its usual 10 year cycle is very overdue.....
I have just checked the mountain again and just maybe i’ll have/need another rum...
Under that cloud is DANGER !
Camp E95: In the shadow of Hekla Camp
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 199metres
Temp: +10.4 *C
Today 222 Kms
EU Total : 8,716 Km
Look for us here:
Tuesday 30th April 2019:
All is good this morning.
Just up the road is the Helka Eruption Evacuation Plan noticeboard.
We watched all morning waiting for that cloud to lift.
Gullfoss waterfalls. One of the famous tourist attractions.
32m of cascading water that takes a 90 degree bend in its plunge into the gorge below.
As part of all that tectonic movement is the hot springs at Haukadalur geothermal region.
This one is known locally as “gay-zeer” or gusher in Icelandic.
Hence they have given the world the name Geyser.
This one erupts about every 10 miuntes
And Helka came out to say good Afternoon !
As part of the volcanic belt this 6,500 year old volcanic crater
Now camped up in the Reykjanes Peninsula south of Reykjavik.
Camp E96: Lava Field Camp
Cost: Nil
Altitude: 208 metres
Temp: +10.7 *C
Today 271 Kms
EU Total : 8,987 Km