The White Falcon - 23.07.1971, Blaðsíða 7

vol
:
to the end of the lava flow
from last year's eruption. It
seemed to be a mass migration
Ls most people began making
long trek across the mead-
and dried river bed to
^ch a 20-foot ragged wall of
still warm lava that only last
year was a glowing river of
fire over two miles long. For
a half-hour children climbed
while adults took pictures or
collected samples of the rough
lava. Caution had to be exer-
cized by the climbers because
the loose and jagged rocks
could have been dangerous.
The next stop of the long
journey was at the new hydro-
electric plant at Burfell which
was threatened last year by
the black soot pouring out of
the nearby craters. The Jap-
anese generators, Italian
cranes,French cables and other
multi-national equipment bear
witness to Iceland's gigantic
strides and international in-
volvement in the development
her vast natural resources,
but seemingly content,
piled back in for the ride
the next stop, only a few minutes ride away.
It is a beautiful waterfall cascading into a
pond which then flows to the river. As the
busses finally pulled awayand as passengers be-
gan to snooze, the road passes through a valley
whose black soot bears witness to the damage
done by Hekla where in Viking times large farms
prospered. Some of those farms are being exca-
vated, but a visit to these was not included in
tills trip since it is part of another tour.
The final stop at the hot springs of Hvera-
gerdi provided a pleasant interlude to the long
ride between the waterfall and the return to
base.
A waterfall called "Help" for once having provided water and shel-
ter to a farmer and his flock during a Hekla eruption.
Story & photos by QM2 John Getker
turijry touris
heir Special
tr. line
Service
up at the "lunch wagon" for
's sandwiches and coke.
Tour members calmly picnic in view of Hekla where
people once feared to travel.
WII1TK FAI.CON