Traveling in Iceland

[soenke]

Hello,
I´m new here, but I think this forum is dealing with exactly what I am interested in....:jump:

For those who like traveling in Iceland I ´ll start this thread


some aspects about kayaking in Iceland

it is no problem in the sea (besides weather, wind, current, surf and steep coast or sharp lava, hungry orcas... :eek:)

but in fresh water desinfection of the whole gear becomes necessary. You need a protocol of desinfektion everytime you enter a new lake or river. Reason is the fear of spreading fish diseases from one spot to another


Camp at Langisjór

http://up.picr.de/1551165.jpg

headig towards Tungnaárjökull
http://up.picr.de/1551166.jpg

premiere long line fishing here
http://up.picr.de/1551167.jpg

moving on
http://up.picr.de/1551168.jpg


Camp at the Breidárlón
http://up.picr.de/1551169.jpg

Breidarmerkurjökull
http://up.picr.de/1551170.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1551171.jpg



Greatings Sönke :snorkel:

[Purple People Eater]

Yep, you're in the right spot. Welcome!

Gorgeous pictures!

[Ursidae69]

Wow, very cool!!!!! :lurk:

[Trail Monkey]

nice truck. great photos. welcome..

[mountainpete]

That's great! Beautiful country!

[Lumberjack]

more pictures :drool: WOW Makes me want visit...

Dennis

[soenke]

Gaesavatnaleid
huge sander fields,.. not the wather depth but quick sand could make some problems. For this reason minimum two cars and long cables are required, if you are not very shure about the actual road status...
In the background moraine and the glacier black from ashes..

http://up.picr.de/1557225.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1557213.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1557227.jpg

on dry ground. Glacier in the back
http://up.picr.de/1557214.jpg

[Desertdude]

Welcome :wavey:

Wonderful exploration! This place has been on my bucket list since I was an early teen.

Thanks for coming in and sharing Sönke.

[soenke]

When the current isn´t strong and the water isn´t to deep best is to find out where to cross and where the stones and quick sands are:
http://up.picr.de/1477494.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1401257.jpg

when the current is stronger I dress with dry suit, life-line and life jacket.
But crossing with a (modified) car will be still possible when walking through gets very risky or even impossible.
You have to be able to read the water while driving through the ford to do so...I have been afraid to learn the hard way :eek: so far...

It´s easier in a "blue" river
http://up.picr.de/1477590.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1477591.jpg

[Jacket]

:drool:

Great rigs, great scenery! Keep on postin'!

[soenke]

:drool:
.... Keep on postin'!

some more digital pictures from a friend...

wanted to cross Tungnaá
http://up.picr.de/1537303.jpg

waiting in vain for the waterlevel to drop
http://up.picr.de/1537309.jpg

keep on going, this is an official dirt road through a lake! you have to stay close to the shore though...
http://up.picr.de/1537311.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1537312.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1537314.jpg

watching the glacier form our back porch after a hike
http://up.picr.de/1537392.jpg

geothermal area, building our own small hot pool
http://up.picr.de/1537325.jpg

one river is hot the other one cold
http://up.picr.de/1537328.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1537329.jpg

Greetings Sönke

[grobinson]

What kind of Toyota is that larger one? Is it a modified FJ?

[soenke]

it´s modified:p ,it´s a HDJ80 with J4 cab and custom cabin....
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20822

[jeepmedic46]

Beautiful pics from everyone. Hoping to visit iceland someday.

[soenke]

http://up.picr.de/1584878.jpg


http://up.picr.de/1584880.jpg


http://up.picr.de/1584881.jpg


http://up.picr.de/1584883.jpg

[laxtoy]

:clapsmile absolutely amazing! just read the build up thread for your fj concoction, plain awesome!

[Willman]

Keep them coming!!!:chowtime:

Thanks for sharing!

What a great trip!!

:jumping:

[soenke]

thanks,


Beautiful pics from everyone. Hoping to visit iceland someday.


now is the moment...Iceland is less expensive now and they need foreign currency :rolleyes:

it is not all black lava, the Fjallabak is green

http://up.picr.de/1557910.jpg

greetings Sönke

PS all pictures are on road ! even the picture with car driving through the lake...driving off road is forbidden...unless high snow is covering the landscape

[rctr03]

welcome, great pics!

[Tanto]

It is very nice to see unique pics, the rig is impressive.

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Sönke- welcome to Expedition Portal!

Wow- great pics... looks like a fantastic trip! What a unique and diverse landscape.

Nice build on the rig too.

[VermontOverland]

Fabulous trip! Anyone know how difficult it is to get one's own vehicle to Iceland from the US?

[soenke]

VermontOverland, sorry don´t know...I would ship by container...for a short trip just to have first impressions you could hire a LandCruiser 120 or a Land Rover with 35" and a pop-up cabin...

a few more for Willman...:p

Boarding the Smyril Line Norröna
http://up.picr.de/1602416.jpg

good road heading toward Kverkfjöll, passing a very abstract landscape...
http://up.picr.de/1602417.jpg

pumice stone covering the ground
http://up.picr.de/1602418.jpg

sunlight painting mountains...
http://up.picr.de/1602419.jpg

always a lot of sand in the air in the Askja area
http://up.picr.de/1602420.jpg

leaving the sandur, in the background the glacier
http://up.picr.de/1602421.jpg

lava road to Herdubreid, the holy montain
http://up.picr.de/1602422.jpg

in german Stricklava -> cord lava
http://up.picr.de/1602423.jpg

Mýrdalsjökull, just black and white
http://up.picr.de/1602424.jpg

[soenke]

mosses, in all colours ( sorry, the colours don´t come up right, just lousy dia scans )
http://up.picr.de/1602518.jpg

small road in the Fjallabak
http://up.picr.de/1602519.jpg

in rural areas common, abandoned farms and fisherboats sitting on land...
http://up.picr.de/1602499.jpg

this is true...
http://up.picr.de/1602500.jpg

[RedDog]

Man oh man, I want to go so bad. I followed everything on Iceland for a while now. I've just about got a female friend in Quebec who travels to Norway on a regular basis talked into going on such an adventure with me. I would NOT be shipping my Jeep but looking to rent suitable transport there.

Something about the landscape leaves me in awe and neither of us would have an issue with the weather or climate conditions.

[VermontOverland]

here, here, RedDog. I'm thinking the exact same thing. Looks like Bruce at OEX is still leading some great trips there: http://www.overlandexperts.com/events.php.

Truly fantastic pics Soenke.

[soenke]

hiking and horseback riding are very nice ways of traveling too...just depending on route and destination...
sorry, so many pictures with the Toyo...made them for mud too...
and the landscape pictures don´t come out nice as scans...

here you´ll find nice pictures
http://www.forum.islandreise.info/viewforum.php?f=8&sid=d8f78c27953f2d96789d36530a1319d7

this is the side of a friend, he also organises Iceland trips and vehicle transportation, may be he can help. The pictures are mostly from the coast rather then the highlands:
http://www.slideart.de/Galerie/SlideArt/thumbnails.php?album=topn&cat=9

[SPertierra]

I am going during the first week in July. I have started researching, but I need to find somewhere I can rent a capable 4x4, and a second vehicle, someone to go with. My plan ideally, is to take all 3 major highland roads, as well as othersite. I need advice.

[soenke]

how much time you have?
There are many nice places when you leave the main roads F26 and F35 and travel the small tracks or go hiking....
I would stop at a bookshop and buy maps and an icelandic road book (there are some in english)...and than you have to decide if you want to see a lot in a hurry or less with more joy.
Make shure not to miss the F210 ...my favorit area in the Fjallabak, just like so many other places...

Be aware, that the cars you can hire usually don´t have any equipment at all for self recovery.:exclaim:
And please don´t forget: Offroad driving is forbidden!

where to hire good cars I don´t know, never did that before. Just ask (in english is OK):
http://www.geysir.com/english/index.html
http://www.geysir.com/deutsch/forum/list.php?1
http://www.forum.islandreise.info/

if you have questions to certain routs ...just ask, maybe I can help or know whom to ask...

[SPertierra]

how much time you have?
I will be there for 10 days, I'm intersted in seeing as much as I can, and taking photos, and just exploring. I also like to camp.


There are many nice places when you leave the main roads and travel the small tracks or go hiking....
I would stop at a bookshop and buy maps and an icelandic road book (there are some in english)...and than you have to decide if you want to see a lot in a hurry or less with more joy.

I'm going to have to order them probally, as I'm sure my local bookstores don't have them in stock. Is there a company that makes good book style road atlas's?


Be aware, that the cars you can hire usually don´t have any equipment at all for self recovery.:exclaim:

I have heard it is possible, I read about it a couple of years ago.


where to hire good cars I don´t know, never did that before. Just ask:
http://www.geysir.com/english/index.html
http://www.geysir.com/deutsch/forum/list.php?1
http://www.forum.islandreise.info/

if you have questions to certain routs ...just ask

I am very unfimiliar with this form of terrain. I anyone in Iceland wanted to just tag along, or guide me, I would be very grateful. Otherwise, I'm still going, but my plans will be scaled back a bit.

[soenke]

In addition to your "normal" guide book I can recommend EKIÐ um ÓBYGGÐIR from Jón G. Snæland (icelandic) for advanced tours and ADVENTURE in ICELAND from Páll Ásgeir Ásgeirsson (english) with perfect tours by car and foot.
Maps I regard ISLANDKORT1.300000 from Mál og menning (www.forlagid.is) for overview best.

Have fun exploring..:Astrologist:

[SPertierra]

I found a perfect rental vehicle, it is a Russian Nava? Anyways, cheap 4x4, but I guess since it does'nt come with a winch(although it does come with a tow strap), I'm gonna have to but a hi-lift and shovel, when I get there. Any recomendations where to shop?

[soenke]

Niva sounds like adventure..:elkgrin: should do the job.

Sorry I don´t know where to buy best. At Arctic Trucks you ´ll finde most of the stuff you might need:
http://www.arctictrucks.com/Frontpage/Products/Travelling-accessories
Though I rather use hydraulic- or air-jacks...

something like a sandladder could be usefull, a second spare wheel, ~3 jerry cans and traveling the small tracks with deep fords a second car and a chest wader or dry suit to explore the ford...

http://up.picr.de/1617311.jpg

http://up.picr.de/1617336.jpg

[SPertierra]

Thank you, that about covers most of what I will need. A few things I can pack with my suit case, GPS, tire repair kit etc. I will decide how much I need depending on if I can find someone to join me. The dates are flexible, I don't want to go too late, but maybe as late as first wek of August. Do you know of a forum in Iceland that would be good to post to, in order to find someone willing to go along with?

[Co-opski]

Having traveled there in the summer, I'm now itching to go back in the winter months.;)

[soenke]

lets see some pics :chowtime:

[Co-opski]

soenke, whould you like me to add them to this thread and keep this one open to all Iceland travel?

[soenke]

yes please, this should be open to all iceland concerns...

[Co-opski]

Well here is some of my TR to Iceland for two weeks in June of 2004.
I'll start with Thingvellir National Park in the Southwest lowlands approximately 40Km from Reykjavik. Here is the website for the park.

http://www.thingvellir.is/english

I was on a some what educational side trip so I started at the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant out side of the Park.
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_04-1.jpg

I had to get up in the hills to get a better look down at Lake Thingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. Any fly fishers, heads up this lake has artic char and brown trout populations. You can see the plant in the lower right corner of this picture of my lovely travel companion Kari.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_03-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_05-1.jpg

This park is special because it is said to be home of the first modern democracy in the formation of their Parliament and it was placed on the UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.
More to come as I sort these pictures.

[IceRover]

Thank you, that about covers most of what I will need. A few things I can pack with my suit case, GPS, tire repair kit etc. I will decide how much I need depending on if I can find someone to join me. The dates are flexible, I don't want to go too late, but maybe as late as first wek of August. Do you know of a forum in Iceland that would be good to post to, in order to find someone willing to go along with?

Hi SPertierra, try f4x4.is which is the Icelandic 4x4 club's forum or e.g. islandrover.is which is the Icelandic Land Rover clubs forum. Both forums are in Icelandic but you can post questions in English and members will understand. There are always some members on the highland tracks. However as it is our home turf, planning horizon is usually quite short and it can depend on the weather where you travel on a particular weekend or vacation period. You can rent many different trucks in different price ranges from ..Old Lada Nivas to new Land Rover Defender 110's on 38" tires.

[Co-opski]

Here is a trek through the western fault line forming the Almannagja Fissure as continental drift between the North American and Euroasian plates separate within Thingvellir N. P.
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_08-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_09-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_10-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_12-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_13-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_15-1.jpg
Many of the same flowers that we have in Southcentral Alaska. Geraniums, Asters, and Angelica.
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_14-1.jpg

[Co-opski]

Time for some from Jokulsargljur National Park now combined with Skaftafell National Park and renamed Vatnajokull National Park. Many of these are of the Jokulsa River.

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_01-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_16-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_17-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_18-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_24-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_30-1.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp277/Co-opski/aa6519_32-1.jpg

[atlib]

If you guys need any help traveling in Iceland than I would be happy to assist you. my E-mail is atlibj@internet.is and my phone number is (+354)862-7180

[soenke]

Hey atlib,

where do you live? What kind of traveling you do?

Thanks for your offer !
Maybe we can meet, when we are next time to Iceland. Though we just cancled our snow tour in April .... :(

greetings Sönke

[atlib]

I live in Mosfellsbaer about 10minutes from Reykjavik

I travel by 4x4 ATV´s Snowmobiles and I also just started Kayaking I just love traveling
keep in touch next time when you come to Iceland

now is the time to come to Iceland because of the icelandic krona has fallen over 80percent

[ColinTheCop]

Getting to Iceland looks like it will be much harder with Smyrll Line changing it's route.

http://www.islandrover.is/spjall/viewtopic.php?t=2322

:(

[egn]

For those coming from England/Scottland/Norway it is much harder now. But for those that are coming from mainland Europe it is faster because there is no extra stop at the Faroer anymore.

Smyril Line had to optimize because they are nearly bankrupt.

[ColinTheCop]

Probably better then, the 3 day stopover in Faroe was a nightmare.

You know there isn't much to do when the highlight of your day is visiting Burger King. :(

[egn]

I wasn't there yet, but I have read some reports that the islands are not to bad, except for the weather. ;)

There are some more things to see than the Burger King:
http://www.camperboard.de/hackebaer.php
http://www.di-sein.de/petitvoyage/island2005/is/index.php?s=3

Sorry for the german language. The landscape seems to be very nice.

[Co-opski]

Egn
Thanks for the links. The pictures from November look wet and cold. All the better for taking a dip in a hot spring.

[ColinTheCop]

I wasn't there yet, but I have read some reports that the islands are not to bad, except for the weather. ;)



I guess if you just went to the Faroes, you'd be very impressed. But when you've just left Iceland, nothing else will look that good for a very long time.

[scottishpinz]

Yes we were in Iceland last year, great trip, pictures are here:
http://bagstraining.co.uk/Pinzgauer/Trips.html

[Rhode Trip]

http://www.outdoorgb.com/Thumbnail.aspx?w=200&h=200&f=/pi/Dalesman/CV470.jpg

How common are these specific Campingaz cylinders in Iceland? Where are they available? These are the 'easy-clic' resealable cans. Thanks.

[Volvo73]

My Iceland trip 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXkRYJf86Rw

:wings:

Ingo

[iveco4x4]

photos here

http://www.101fc.net/iceland-2004/index.htm

Vids here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpStZccU17w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR-5Xa_jrNs

[Volvo73]

Got one more. The "road" is marked by poles. It took me around 8h for 30-40 miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skaPrLCMy94

Ingo

[Trausti]

http://www.outdoorgb.com/Thumbnail.aspx?w=200&h=200&f=/pi/Dalesman/CV470.jpg

How common are these specific Campingaz cylinders in Iceland? Where are they available? These are the 'easy-clic' resealable cans. Thanks.

they are wery common you can for ex sample find them in many petrol-stations, camping-shops
http://www.ellingsen.is/verslun/vorur/flokkur/6128
http://www.n1.is/media/fyrirtaekjathjonusta/vorulisti/grill-og-ferdavorur.pdf

best reg.
Trausti

[Rhode Trip]

Trausti,
Ha,ha! I had forgotten this post! Thanks alot for replying: you are right, the campingaz is easy to find in Iceland. We had a splendid visit in August. We bought a couple of cans at the campground in Keflavik, but then found them cheaper at alot of the N1 stations. Here is the lovely Mrs. Trip cooking on the backpacking stove at Grimstadir:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i261/rhodetrip/Iceland%20TCs/DSC07373.jpg

For a complete report on our 15 days in Iceland, including backpacking the Laugarvegurinn, more waterfalls than you can count, and my weird obsession with truck campers, click here: Rhodetrip's Saga
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/23225643.cfm

[Johnny Christensen]

So glad to find a thread about Iceland, it's the most incredible place I ever been.

http://johnnychristensen.com/section142113_276442.html

and a few more pictures from a earlier trip.
http://johnnychristensen.com/section142113_107185.html

[The Swiss]

sunlight painting mountains...
http://up.picr.de/1602419.jpg

always a lot of sand in the air in the Askja area
http://up.picr.de/1602420.jpg:drool: :Wow1: Beautiful landscape, beautiful setting, beautiful Yota, beautiful picture ...

... did I mention that it is just plain ... beautiful? :D

[Johnny Christensen]

I had a look at my Iceland folder, searching for images that could do well in another format. Once i a while it is fun to look at your old work with a new perspective.

36892

36893

36894

[Johnny Christensen]

36895

36896

[soenke]

beautyful pictures, you managed to catch the magic moments...

[SPertierra]

Okay, I've got dates set, July 1- July 12. There will be 4 of us, and we plan to rent two Lada Niva's. We will be bring tents, and camping gear, in order to save money, but I need to find somewhere to buy waders, laterns, propane, and other stuff that can't be brought with us. Also, now that we have tickets, it is official, if anyone would like to join us, we would greatly welcome the company

[Ford Prefect]

I would be SO VERY tempted to try to join yall on this trip, it sounds wonderful, sadly I can not, but for happy reasons. We have a baby due during that time, and I just do not think that would be where we would want to try to do that... hehe

Just remember us poor schmucks here without a chance to travel to Iceland, and send some photos! hehe

[SPertierra]

I would be SO VERY tempted to try to join yall on this trip, it sounds wonderful, sadly I can not, but for happy reasons. We have a baby due during that time, and I just do not think that would be where we would want to try to do that... hehe

Just remember us poor schmucks here without a chance to travel to Iceland, and send some photos! hehe

You may be the lucky one, we may not com back. Just been hearing about some of the obstacles.

[garrett]

Okay, I've got dates set, July 1- July 12. There will be 4 of us, and we plan to rent two Lada Niva's. We will be bring tents, and camping gear, in order to save money, but I need to find somewhere to buy waders, laterns, propane, and other stuff that can't be brought with us. Also, now that we have tickets, it is official, if anyone would like to join us, we would greatly welcome the company

There is a Utilif store here at this shopping area just outside of Reykjavik.

http://www.kringlan.is/

[bjørn h]

Hello,
I´m new here, but I think this forum is dealing with exactly what I am interested in
...For those who like traveling in Iceland I ´ll start this thread ...

Greatings Sönke :snorkel:

We are leaving from Hanstholm DK the 6th of juli...:)
It's the third time with "Lillebror". Here is a picture from our last trip in 2004:
http://i661.photobucket.com/albums/uu336/hbjornh/is10b.jpg

[SPertierra]

We will be back in the capital on the 6th, and then exploring the western half of iceland

[bjørn h]

We are leaving from Hanstholm DK the 6th of juli...:)
It's the third time with "Lillebror".

..back again..:)

http://home.online.no/~bjo-e-h/artimages/ACFTAAgQa4HJ.jpg

http://home.online.no/~bjo-e-h/artimages/ACFDAA2Pa4HJ.jpg

http://home.online.no/~bjo-e-h/artimages/ACFNBAtsaWW2.jpg

[Tony LEE]

For those coming from England/Scottland/Norway it is much harder now. But for those that are coming from mainland Europe it is faster because there is no extra stop at the Faroer anymore.

Smyril Line had to optimize because they are nearly bankrupt.

Will be good not to have that mandatory stopover on the Faroes - although I guess it did allow us to do a circle through the UK rather than back through the mainland.

Iceland is one place I wouldn't mind going back to although three and a half weeks was about right for our first trip. We were in a conventional Class C Motorhome on a front wheel drive Ford chassis and we had no problems getting through the easiest of the inland N-S roads - #24 or is it #26.