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The
Highlands at Snćfell —
The Wondrous World of River Jökla
and Kringilsárrani “Peninsula”
8 days backpacking + provisions by car.
Departure: 13th July 2006 (A1)
Jökulsá á Dal –
Eyjabakkar – Snćfell – Lindur – Jökla – Rauđaflúđ – Sauđafellsalda
– Kringilsá – Brúarjökull – Kringilsárrani – Hraukar – Töfrafoss –
Stuđlagátt – Laugavalladalur
Hafrahvammar – Kárahnjúkar
-- Itinerary--
DAY 1:
EGILSSTAĐIR – FLJÓTSDALUR – GLÚMSTAĐASEL – EYJABAKKAR – SNĆFELL
(daypack)
Departure by car from Egilsstađir village at 9:15 am. En route to
Kárahnjúkar area via Fljótsdalur valley. Hike up by a series of
waterfalls on glacial river Jökla, altogether 15 falls and
numerous magnificent rapids. Visibility allowing, the King of
Icelandic mountains, Snćfell, our destination, is in magnificent
view. Extra shoes for wading may come in handy as the wetlands,
brooks, and streams feeding Jökla are liable to grow during the
summer. Rendezvous with Sibbi, our driver, is planned before
marching on to our camp at the roots of Snćfell where we will stay
for two nights in the bosom of glaciers and mountains after a long
day’s journey.
DAY 2: (daypack)
EYJABAKKAR
This day is dedicated to the unique Eyjabakkar wetlands, formed by
the fine silt deposited by glacial river Jökulsá á Fljótsdal. An
unparalleled oasis of vegetation, 650m above sea level, habitat of
most of the known species of highland vegetation, some of them
very rare. We will head in the direction of Eyjabakka glacier and
will inspect Hraukar, magnificent examples of terminal moraines,
and the neighbouring tarns, in an area where reindeer and
pink-footed geese feed and roam. We will trek to our camp in the
neighbourhood of the planned site of the Eyjabakkar dam. This is
where a group of artists and other lovers of nature enacted a
performance to protest against the destruction of the site.
DAY 3: (daypack)
SNĆFELL / SNĆFELL – LINDUR
Weather allowing, we will climb Snćfell mountain as it affords a
magnificent view in all directions. On the west side, over
Brúarjökull glacier, the Western highlands and Brúardalur valley
are in view along with the mountains Kverkfjöll, Dyngjufjöll, and
Herđubreiđ. To the east, we’ll see Eyjabakkajökull and
Ţrándarjökull glaciers, Dyngjufjöll mountain, and the Austfirđir
mountain range. If visibility is limited, we will inspect the
extraordinary oases of Vesturörćfi heath. In this area one finds,
quite uniquely, continuous vegetation from the roots of the
glacier down to the coast. Our journey goes on from here, by bus
to Sauđahnjúkar mounts, on foot through the wetlands with its
colourful birdlife. The direction is set for Kárahnjúkar and our
camp in the vicinity of Lindur, a natural spring.
DAY 4: (daypack)
LINDUR – SAUĐÁ – JÖKLA – RAUĐAFLÚĐ – SAUĐAFELLSALDA
Our driver Sibbi, will take us to Sauđá river. We will follow
Sauđá downstream to Jökla river. From there we will head south,
following Jökla upstream, by its canyons and verdant banks, to
look at the impressive columnar basalt formations and nests of
pink-footed geese. We will see the “red“ rapids in Jökla, called
„Rauđuflúđir“. Our route will take us through a grown area to our
camp for the night in Sauđafellsalda hill.
DAY 5 (full backpack)
ŢORLÁKSMÝRAR - BRÚARJÖKULL - KRINGISLÁRRANI
We will march to the terminal moraines to the west of Kringilsá
river up to Brúarjökull glacier. We will have lunch before scaling
the glacier. If the sun is out, it is advisable to use sunscreen
lotion and a have a pair of sunglasses handy. From the glacier we
will continue to the preserved area of Kringilsárrani peninsula.
We will camp for two nights in the vicinity of tarns on
Kringilsárrani.
DAY 6: (daypack)
KRINGILSÁRRANI-SANCTUARY
We will get to know the unique sanctuary of Kringilsárrani. We
will spend the day enjoying serenity, natural beauty and a
surprisingly varied fauna. We will take a look at the geology of
Brúarjökull glacier the sediments and moraines of which probably
offer the most visible, best-known history of any outlet-glacier
in the world. We will inspect the feeding area of reindeer and the
pink-footed geese, rare highland vegetation, canyons, rapids,
waterfalls, sediment terraces, terminal moraines and other glacial
vestiges.
DAY 7: (full backpack)
KRINGILSÁRRANI – TÖFRAFOSS – ÁRMÓT KRINGILSÁR OG JÖKLU — SAUĐAFELL
— LAUGAVALLADALUR
We will march due north on Kringilsárrani by Hraukar moraines to
Töfrafoss waterfall, which we will be able to admire from its east
bank. We will take our lunch break before continuing up to where
Jökla river and Kringilsá river meet. Awaiting us there will be
the tow-ferry made by farmer Guđmundur á Vađi. After crossing the
river, we will march on to meet Sibbi by Sauđafell. He will take
us up to Laugavalladalur valley where we will camp for the last
night. In the valley one can take a mountain bath. We will put up
a party tent and prepare for BBQ and fun, red wine and a leg of
lamb.
DAY 8: (daypack)
LAUGAVALLADALUR - EGILSSTAĐIR
We will enjoy the unique Laugavalladalur valley. We will see the
greatest river canyons in Iceland, Hafrahvammagljúfur. We will
make a short stop by the site of the planned Kárahnjúkavirkjunar
dam (protest stand for those who feel like it). From there the car
will take us to Egilsstađir village in time for our late-afternoon
flight.
Our journey starts at Egilsstađir village, where passengers will
be picked up at 9:00 am. At the end of the journey they will be
dropped off at the same place in time for the late afternoon
flight.
The journey is a blend of backpacking and travel by car with
provisions carried by car.
a) the provisions, tents and such will be transported by car or
left at campsite. During 6 days it is therefore only necessary to
carry light daypacks, with food and protective clothing.
b) 2 days backpacking will be with a full load.
Some of the day-journeys are short while others are longer. Our
pace however will be comfortable and rather slow. The elevation is
not great except when we walk upstream by glacial river, Jökulsá
in Fljótsldalur, on the first day, during which we cover the
greatest distance.
NB! Food is not
provided by Augnablik in this treck, hikers bring their own food.
NB: the last evening’s BBQ is included, as well as breakfast and
nourishment on the last day.
Price: IKR 40.000
Included in the package: guided tour, provisions and travel by
car. Last evening’s BBQ in Grágćsadalur valley, breakfast and
camping food the day after. Yoga sessions in the mornings and
evenings.
Guides: Ásta Arnardóttir og Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir
Driver: Sigurbjörn Árnason
Yoga teacher: Ásta Arnardóttir
Note that the outlined itinerary is subject to change at the
discretion of the guides.
Bookings: Ţuríđur Einarsdóttir: augnablik@this.is
Tel: (354) 8644012
Confirmation fee IKR 5.000 payable to the Augnablik account
0306-26-883 SSN. 670793-2499. Please remember to state full name.
Confirmation fee non-refundable.
Introductory meeting to be announced.
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