Iceland Day 6

This morning started with a half an hour drive to meet our guide for the glacier walk. We got fitted for crampons and were given a serious-looking ice pick as well. Then we drove a further 15 minutes to the base of the Virkisjokull Glacier in southeast Iceland.

We had about a 45 minute walk along a rocky, gravelly path to where we needed to put on the crampons. We didn’t realize we were already walking on the glacier for quite a while as the ground didn’t seem icy. But underneath the loose black stuff that looked like gravel was ice.

Our guide showed us how to put on the crampons, then checked to make sure they were tight. I was wondering what I had signed up for when I was issued the 2 foot long metal ice pick. But it was just so that we could stick the pointy handle end in the ice if we needed extra traction.

Walking on the glacier was easier than I expected. It wasn’t solid ice but kind of soft and crystallized. It was also quite dirty looking. Our guide showed us how much melt had occurred using plastic pipe as a measuring device. There are scientists measuring and photographing the ice on a regular basis to check on the health of the glacier.

There were dangerous looking holes and crevices in the ice. Our guide led us single file and stopped frequently to give us information. I enjoyed hearing what she had to say and I was glad of the chance to catch my breath. This G Adventures tour has been rated a 2/5 in terms of activity level - light walking, nothing too challenging – is how they put it. Ha!

We walked as high up as we could go without ropes, helmets and more serious ice climbing equipment then turned around and made our descent. I was a little worried about slipping as some of the slopes were on the steep side but slow and steady wins the race….or at least gets you back to the bus in one piece!

Our noon meal was a picnic lunch provided for us then we were off again to the next stop – Ingolfshofdi Cape. Our form of transportation to the Cape was quite unique. We piled into a long wheeled wagon and our guide pulled us there with a powerful tractor. I say powerful because there was about 30 of us altogether and we went through quite a deep river right at the beginning much to the amazement of most of us.

It was a bumpy half hour ride across the field of black volcanic ash mixed with basalt. We piled out and hiked up to the top of the cliff where it was grassy. We had to be careful where we walked because of the skua birds nesting right along the path. The parents weren’t too happy with us and swooped pretty close to our heads to show their displeasure. One of these feisty birds attacked a sheep that it thought was getting too close to it’s babies…what a sight!

As we got closer to the ocean side of the cliffs the view was amazing. We were quite high up and I was glad of my fleece and waterproof jacket when it started to rain and blow. I also got good mileage out of my rain pants, gloves and light ear muffs today.

Our guide was a long time resident from the area and knew a lot of history as well as a lot about the local  birds. We saw our first puffin and then some more! They seemed quite curious and posed nicely. The guide set up a spotting scope and we really had a good look!

We hiked for about an hour and a half before we went back for the return tractor ride. I am definitely going to recommend this tour of the Cape on TripAdvisor when I get home.

My new hiking boots got another good workout today