The White Falcon - 29.05.1998, Side 6

Making Tracks in Iceland: Hafnaberg
Story and photo by Karin W. Tramm
Where: Hafnaberg Bird Cliffs
Getting There: Take the first right out of
the main gate onto Highway 44 towards
Hafnir. Pass Hafnir and look for the second
pull off to the right (8.5 miles from base).
There is a large cairn indicating the start of
the trail.
What to Take: Comfortable walking
shoes, water, a picnic, a camera and binocu-
lars.
Hafnaberg is one of Iceland’s largest bird
cliffs. Rising up 30 meters, it is home to
thousands of birds. The hike back to the
cliffs will take at least 45 minutes one way,
but the trail is sandy and easy to traverse on
foot or mountain bike. Lava rocks line the
path and cairns have been erected every so
often so you can see the direction of the
trail in the distance. Don’t forget to follow
Icelandic tradition and place a stone on one
of the cairns.
The terrain is barren and moon-like for
most of the walk. When you pass the four-
wheel drive trail, you’re about half way
there. Continue on the trail past a large
cracked lava mound called Bergholl and
start listening for the birds. The ground
becomes soft and grassy when you reach the
cliff. The trail continues to the right along
the edge. There are no safety rails so it’s
imperative to hold tight to children. When
my husband and I went, we put both of our
toddlers in backpacks.
Thousands of birds can be seen lin-
ing the walls of the cliffs and swim-
ming in the water down below.
Periodically birds will fill the skies if
a noise disturbs them. Several differ-
ent species of gulls live here as well
as kittiwakes, cormorants, guillemots,
and razorbills. In May, the puffins
arrive to nest in the soft grass along
the edge of the cliff. Hafnaberg is
also a perfect place for spotting
whales during their summer migration.
June and July seem to be the best
months for whale watching.
Also enjoy the dramatic view of the
coast. The island of Eldey can be
seen off to the southwest. Eldey, ris-
ing to 77 meters, is home to one of the
world’s largest gannet colonies. The
gannet couples arrive in February and
lay their only egg during April or
May. In the fall, the chick leaves the
nest and it’s abandoned by the parents.
The island is protected by law and it is
prohibited to go ashore.
If the day is sunny and clear you'll
be able to see the glacier
Snaefellsjokull on the horizon to the
northwest. The cairn trail continues
for a short way along the coast in the
direction of Hafnir. Future plans include
completion of this trail to make a loop back
to the main road. Have a picnic and then
retrace your steps back to your car.
Hafnaberg bird cliffs are a wonder of nature
right in our own backyard.
Hafnaberg, one of Iceland’s largest bird cliffs, is a
good site for whale watching during the summer.
Iceland celebrates ‘Whitsuntide ’
By Einar Porfiarson
Iceland is celebrating Whitsuntide, the seventh Sunday after Easter, this weekend. It’s one
of the three major events in the Christian calendar, along with Christmas and Easter. Noted
as the fiftieth day of Jesus’ resurrection, it commemorates the pouring out of the Holy Spirit
upon the disciples on the seventh Sunday.
Among the Jewish during this time of year, there had been a celebration of the newly
ripened fruit, just as the Paschal Feast celebrated the newborn lambs. Later, this observance
came to commemorate the giving of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai seven weeks after he
led the Israelis out of Egypt.
The Icelandic name for Whitsuntide, Hvltasunna, came from the Anglo Saxons around
1100 A.D. There is little doubt that it was brought to Iceland by the itinerant English bish-
ops who roamed the country before the first holy see was established in Skalholt.
Whitsuntide was celebrated for three days in Iceland - as were Christmas and Easter - until
1770 when Saturday became part of the working week. This changed again recently, so the
long three-day Whitsuntide weekend is effective again. During this time of the year, the
weather is improving, providing an excellent opportunity for entertainment. In 1923, the
Reykjavik riding club, Fakur, held its first Whitsun Race. Other sporting events, such as
cross country races, golf and other athletic competitions have been held ever since. The
Whitsun Race will begin around 10 a.m. Monday close to Arbaer, the Museum of the Living
Past. The best way to get there is to go by the museum as you do when going to Hveragerdi
(the green house area) or the Blue Mountains by Route 1. When you reach the outskirts of
Reykjavik, you see a lake on your left. By the lake there is a road to the right. Turn onto
that road and you won’t miss the racing track.
When informal open-air festivals began taking place on Whitsun weekend around 1960,
young people began using the opportunity for camping. These gatherings have diminished
somewhat in recent years, due partly to an increased focus on families. Now, families come
together all over the country in their summer houses. This weekend is also the first weekend
most people travel. Good weather is at hand and everyone is optimistic for a good summer.
News You Can Use
War Eagle Diner
Due to recent changes in flight line securi-
ty policies, the 24-hour diner in Bldg. 884
is available only to people with flight line
access. For more information, call Glenda
Ricardo at ext. 2174.
FSC
Couples Communication Workshop,
June 4,11,18 and 25. This workshop
covers the basics for a loving relationship
in six-weeks. It is designed to help cou-
ples enhance the quality of their relation-
ship through improved communication and
an ability to work out their differences.
Souse Employment Orientation,
Wednesdays, from 12:30 - 1 p.m. at the
chapel. Provides information about the
different employment offices on base.
Call the FSC at ext. 4401 for more infor-
mation.
A.T. Mahan Elementary
Program featuring the prize-winning
children’s book author, Ed Emberley,
Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose
Room. Emberley is best known for such
books as “Drummer Hoff,-’ which was
awarded the Caldecott Prize. Copies of his
books will be available for purchase begin-
ning 3 p.m. Thursday. A book signing is
scheduled after the program. Call the ele-
mentary school at ext. 3100 for more
information.
Page 6
The White Falcon May 29, 1998