Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.06.2014, Side 42

TRAVEL 42 The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 08 — 2014
There is a vast array of easy to moderate
hikes to choose from and most towns,
like Reykjavík, have a local “town moun-
tain” 200 to 1,000 metres above sea level,
which takes a short and leisurely one to
four hours to top. For those with the skills,
experience and physical endurance,
there are also a number of more difficult
mountains 500 to 2,100 metres above sea
level. Hikers and mountaineers heading
for these highest and/or remote peaks
must be in excellent physical shape. Such
day hikes can take at least 8–15 hours.
Not to mention, weather conditions can
be extremely difficult and seriously test a
hiker’s endurance.
Icelandic mountains should not be
underestimated, especially not in winter-
time when you can expect Arctic condi-
tions. At 400 to 2,100 metres above sea
level, they may not be the tallest in the
world, but conditions can change rapidly
and many of the higher ones are glaci-
ated. Hikers can run into serious difficul-
ties regardless of the size of the mountain
or time of year. Careful preparation and
proper equipment thus makes all the dif-
ference. Visit www.safetravel.is for more
information.
Terrain To Look Out For
Icelandic rock is mainly volcanic and can
be either loose or compact, but riddled
with cracks. This kind of rock is subject to
rapid processes of erosion and weather-
ing, and the terrain in many areas is ex-
tremely rugged and uneven. Long scree
slopes characterise Icelandic mountains.
Snow often lingers in the mountains over
the summer, and there are many glaciers.
Hikers who are not experienced climbers
or lack the proper equipment must avoid
a variety of hazards in the landscape:
Cliffs
Rock is unsuitable for climbing in most ar-
eas. Exercise special caution when scram-
bling.
Water runnels
Runnels are dangerous even if dry. This is
mainly because of the rock detritus found
in them and the danger of sliding.
Ravines and canyons
Falling rocks and steep rock steps, low wa-
terfalls and deep water pits characterise V-
shaped ravines and canyons with slanting
or horizontal walls.
Rivers
If river water reaches above your knees, you
will need to employ special techniques for
safe fording (for example, wading in groups
of two to three, and at an angle to the cur-
rent) or find an alternative route. Glacial riv-
ers are easier to cross where they are more
braided; many can also be crossed on the
glacier itself.
Screes above a precipice
Loose and very steep screes below or
above cliffs may start to slide under a hiker’s
weight.
Sand, silt or gravel on sloping rock/
cliffs
A thin top layer of detritus increases the risk
of falling.
Very steep grass- or moss-grown
slopes
Vegetation growing on rock or sloping
ground can be extremely slippery even
when it is not raining.
Hard snow and glacier ice
Old snow on slopes and steep glacier ice
are in most cases very dangerous and in-
accessible without crampons and at least
one ice axe.
Descent route
Hikers should use the ascent route to de-
scend a mountain unless they are familiar
with an alternative descent route or know
that that the route is absolutely safe.
Check The Weather: It’s Shifty
Iceland’s weather is a product of its loca-
tion in the middle of the North Atlantic,
its mountainous terrain and frequent low-
pressure systems (cyclones) approach-
ing/passing from the southwest.
A prevailing high pressure system (an-
ticyclone) over Greenland, in conflu-
ence with travelling lows, often leads to
high-speed northerly winds, while the
low-pressure systems themselves fling
strong southerly winds toward Iceland.
Words
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson
Photos
Anna Andersen
ARTISAN BAKERY
& COFFEE HOUSE
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LAUGAVEGUR 36 · 101 REYKJAVIK
Don’t Take
Hiking Lightly
Always prepare, think...
and enjoy
Hiking is a popular recreational sport in Iceland. People
by the thousands are on the move in the vicinity of
Reykjavík on a good day. While many hike on rather flat
ground, mountain hikes have gained popularity over the
last two decades.