We just got back from iceland! What an amazing place! The only wish is that we stayed longer.
Let's start from the most memorable part of our trip~The two-day hike from Alftavatn to Landmannalaugar. It's part of the iceland's most popular hiking route, Laugavegurinn. Normally, people spend four days walking from Thorsmork to Landmannalaugar. However, since we only have five days in iceland. We decided to do a two day hike instead. We also decided to end our hike in Landmannalaugar so we can reward ourself with dipping into the hot spring.
The first day began with the bus to Alftavatn. We parked our car in Hella and took the bus to Alftavatn. There is only one bus every day to alftavatn in summer time. The price is 6500 isk per person. When we got it in the information center in Reykjavik, we thought it's over-charged for an three-hour bus ride. But I need to say it's totally worthy. The roads on the highland have gravel surface. Our bus was even fording rivers a few times. The view is spectacular, really unique scenery. There were only three more person on the bus but we were the only hikers.
We arrived Alftavatn at around 1:00 pm and started our hike. For the first day, the hiking distance (Alftavatn to Hrafntinnusker) was 12 km( 7.45 miles), Estimated walking time is 4 to 5 hours.
We arrived Alftavatn at around 1:00 pm and started our hike. For the first day, the hiking distance (Alftavatn to Hrafntinnusker) was 12 km( 7.45 miles), Estimated walking time is 4 to 5 hours.
 |
| Started our hike in Alftavatn. Both of us didn't seem ready for the hike =.= |
The hike before reaching river Grashagakvisi was mostly flat. The vegetation was abundant with vividly yellow and green color. Before crossing the river, we overheard the news that an eruption started near Bárðarbunga last night from other hikers. Luckily, it's an lava eruption. No wading is required when cross Grashagakvisi.
After crossing the river, we experienced a series steep ascent. We passed an unusual hues of rhyolite mountains, ashen gray, rusty red, muddy yellow, and metallic brown. The field was just like a color plate of nature. White steam from from the ground adds some bizarre feel of the scene. The smell of rotten egg from the sulfur was not that appealing but it's almost the only thing reminds me that I was still on the earth.
Soon the landscape changed. A lots of ravines were filled with snow and ice. We saw bigger and bigger patches of snow when we hiked. We even stopped by and explored one of the ice caves just next to the trail. William went through it although it's considered unsafe. The ice carve is developed by the thermal activity underneath the glacier so it's unstable. Soon after that, we had to walk on the snowy field. It's really different than the one I had in New York. It's packed but not slippery. So the crampons are not necessary. Before reaching Hrafntinnusker, the weather became miserable. It was raining with strong wind.
After crossing the river, we experienced a series steep ascent. We passed an unusual hues of rhyolite mountains, ashen gray, rusty red, muddy yellow, and metallic brown. The field was just like a color plate of nature. White steam from from the ground adds some bizarre feel of the scene. The smell of rotten egg from the sulfur was not that appealing but it's almost the only thing reminds me that I was still on the earth.
Soon the landscape changed. A lots of ravines were filled with snow and ice. We saw bigger and bigger patches of snow when we hiked. We even stopped by and explored one of the ice caves just next to the trail. William went through it although it's considered unsafe. The ice carve is developed by the thermal activity underneath the glacier so it's unstable. Soon after that, we had to walk on the snowy field. It's really different than the one I had in New York. It's packed but not slippery. So the crampons are not necessary. Before reaching Hrafntinnusker, the weather became miserable. It was raining with strong wind.
