Out of the Wilderness

On Saturday night Wendy and I met our group and were off Sunday morning like a flash! First we flew to the Far East of the country on a quick Air Iceland flight. After loading up on 4 days of provisions, we started hiking to the first hut. A hired driver in a 4 wheel drive truck with trailer took our bags and the provisions ahead  - slow going over rocks and gravel, and we hiked over on a trail/ sheep track instead of going around via the road. Very steep and very pretty!

A funny goose followed us halfway up the first hill, then flew up to keep us company. What a welcome to the Eastern Fjords!

There are no trees in Iceland. It is believed that there were forests at the time of The Settlement, but the Vikings cut them all down for ships, houses and firewood. Now, all the green you see is moss, bilberries, and other small shrubs.

For 4 days we hiked, staying in wilderness huts ( no electricity or phone, access only by high clearance 4 wheel drive) - no contact with the outside world! The hiking was the hardest I've ever done, and our group (aged 19 to 69) was incredible. I can't believe some of the scrambles up scree slopes we did! 

We also hit a a lot of snow, and on the way down one slope that was worth of a snowboard, one lady slid and was on her way quickly down the mountain when our guide Helgi sprang into action and launched a full scale intervention! You can see his bounds in the snow on the left.

Sorry the photos are so weird on the posts. I am doing everything from my iPad and I haven't figured it out yet. More tomorrow on our last 4 days.