Iceland: Day 2 - Þórsmörk (thorsmork)

June 26, 2004

The first step was to drive out to where the track started. There we changed from our regular tour bus to a special bus equipped with a truck engine and who's air intake system would allow us to ford the many glacial rivers along the way.

It was really windy... one thing we noticed is that everywhere in Iceland they post signs with not only the temperature, but also the wind direction and strength.

The scenery was breathtaking. We got our first view of some of the smaller glaciers of Iceland. The meltwater from these glaciers flows down into the valleys and can form huge river beds when there is flooding. The water level was fairly low while we were there but if you actually stood next to the river you could see just how strong the currents were. And the rain from yesterday ovbiously did have an effect as we saw a few cars that had been parked and left by interior hikers/campers which were now standing in water.

We had 2 stops along the way. One was for an actual river crossing at the foot of a glacial tongue and the other was to explore a wedge-like area along the mountain that also had a river coming from it.

We continued along the reserve until we got to a camp where we proceeded on a short hike through the mountains to another camp. It was nice and warm while we were sheltered from the wind and the vegetation was quite lush. There aren't many wild animals in Iceland but Rubby managed to spot a fox which was quite exciting. At the second camp we waited for the bus to bring us the picnic lunch that our tour guide had brought along... pickled herring, rye bread, salmon, ham, cheese and spreads, and drinks. And little chocolate treats for dessert.


a stop along the side of the road to switch from our regular bus to a 4x4 bus that can drive through the rivers


the power of the waters taking its toll on some of the bridges


campers from the night before didn't park their cars in right spot
although the spot was dry the night before, the river changed direction.


one of the hundreds of rivers that are formed by the melting glaciers.


our 4x4 bus going through one of the glacier rivers..
we had the choice of staying on the bus or getting off and walking across the bridge.


view of the next bus getting ready to cross and people walking across the bridge instead.


we had a quick pitstop at stakkholtsgja


stakkholtsgja


stakkholtsgja


stakkholtsgja


even the locals seem to enjoy watching the tour buses navigate their way through the many rivers.


we've arrived... now we head off for a 45 minute hike


the tractor helps the bus find the "safest" way through the rivers.
the bus is heading over to where we will be hiking to.


some people have set up camp


a fox... the only one we saw in iceland.


there was a few "caves" in the moutain...
some climbers enjoyed the opportunity to go and explore.


after our hike we stopped at a cabin for lunch break


a cute kid... and no it wasn't that cold!


some local kids playing ball with a dog


the blue sky is finally starting to show through the clouds.

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