30th - Walking and climbing

This Saturday was also an early departure, this time we were looking towards a 2½ hours’ drive to reach the Sólheimjökull glacier where we were to do some hiking on. Arriving at the site it was hard not to notice that it is a very popular spot for tourists to go, hiking on the glacier or not.

We got equipped and started the trip up the glacier. We got a few talks on how much it has been receding the last few years (since 2000 it has receded almost 100 meters) and the problems people in the surrounding lowlands encounter when the volcanos erupts and melts a lot of the snow and ice on the nearby glaciers.

We finished off by trying to do some ice wall climbing – it was fun, but requires much more technique than I had time to acquire on the 8-ish meter wall we had to our disposal.

Driving back we passed by the Skógafoss waterfall, one of the biggest in the country.

Coming back to the hotel I decided to sign up for another trip out to see northern lights. It was with another tour company than last night and it wasn’t until I had gotten the ticket I realized that the meeting time was 1930. Less than an hour to find a place to have dinner, so any fancy restaurant visits had to be postponed to some other time.

The drive out was good and standing outside for almost 4 hours we did see some activity, none of it as impressive as the previous night. Due to the low activity the ticket could be used as a rain check within the next 2 years for a similar tour. That’s pretty good service! Back at the hotel at 0200-ish I realized that this would not be a vacation where I got a lot of sleep.

With light pollution from Reykjavik

29th - The Golden Circle

Today the Golden Circle was on the itinerary. The Golden Circle is a round trip that brings you into central Iceland and looping back to Reykjavik. The trip passes by the Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Haukadalur, a geothermally active valley know for it many geysers, Geysir and Strokkur as probably the two best known.

An hour’s drive from Reykjavik we reached Þingvellir NP, where the North American and Euroasian tectonic plates meet. These are very obvious as the ground is littered with large fissures and cracks, clearly indicating where the plates are. These often cause quite large earthquakes in the area even though we didn’t experience any while we were there. Also, our guide informed us that due to these plates and the fact that Iceland is basically located in the middle of such geological activity, the country increases on a yearly basis with 2 cm.

The wall you can see is the North American plate.

After another hour’s drive we reached Gullfoss, a waterfall of a total height of 36m. A popular tourist attraction, it is a very nice area in which it is located, but it is just… a waterfall with a bit of history attached. The water flows down into a crevice, so looking at it from the right (wrong?) angle it looks as if the water is just vanishing into the ground.

Having had lunch short drive took us to Haukadalurso we got to see some of the many legendary geysers of Iceland. They are all named after Geysir, the largest, but it is only rarely active. Strokkur, on the other hand, erupts approximately every 5 minutes, reaching a height up to almost 35 meters. The pools in the area are filled with boiling hot water (literally) which is heated by the subterranean deposits of magma. While there were quite a few pools around in the area, only Strokkur is regularly active.

Strokkur erupting.

The tour company added a small event to the classical Golden Circle trip; in the end we passed by Leiðarendi lava cave. This time I left my camera in my car – I had already gotten the shots I wanted and I would therefore not need to have to drag my bag after me in the tight places because there wasn’t room for me to have it on my back.

We arrived back at the hotel at around 1800-ish, 9 hours after departure. I decided to go for a quick dinner somewhere so that I could then have time while it was still light to find a place where I could have the city’s lights in my back, hoping to see some northern lights after the unsatisfactory night last night. Finding what I thought would be a good location I went back to the hotel to get my equipment. I arrived at around 2045 and realized that a tour was leaving in 45 minutes to go on a hunt for the lights, which convinced me to go with them instead. Off we were, and half an hour outside of Reykjavik we stopped and looked up. We got a flare now and then and not much more, but suddenly the sky almost exploded and the lights were everywhere. An absolutely stunning view. Coming back to the hotel at 0130 I felt much happier than before.

28th - Arrival in Iceland

Early departure from Copenhagen Thursday morning resulted in not much sleep, but one is willing to sacrifice much for vacation. At least the flight was on time (they all were) so there were no problems involved there. One of the first things the captain said was “Good morning this is your captain speaking. Welcome to SAS flight to Oslo, the airline with some of the world’s best stewardesses. Unfortunately we don’t have any of those with us today; instead we have some good looking ones with us.”

Changing flights in Oslo was without problems except for they wanted all through a security check with only two lane open. It took a while, but there were people in line who were getting quite stressed.

Arriving in Reykjavik I got my pickup to the hotel and spent the following hours walking the streets and relaxing in the hotel room for the coming night.

At 1800 I was picked up for the first activity of the trip. We exited the city and started off by driving by a place where they had fish hanging to dry. Following that we drove for another half an hour before we stopped in the middle of nowhere. A short walk from the road there was a big hole in the ground which was the opening to a lava tunnel and cave (Leiðarendi lava cave) which we walked and crawled through. It was interesting to see such tunnels but there wasn’t much room to move around in. If you are claustrophobic this was NOT the place for you.

Something smells fishy...

Crawling our way through the tunnels.

Reaching the exit, the red is from iron.

Driving an hour after this we ended up in a village called Eyrarbakki with the restaurant Rauda Husid (“Red House”) where we had a lobster dinner with desert. I was obviously a restaurant you would never find if you didn’t know of it.

After the dinner we began driving around, trying to find a place without too many clouds which was easier said than done as the clouds had been gathering throughout the night. Also the northern light activity didn’t seem very impressive so the only few sightings that we had were mostly fuzzy due to the cloud coverage.

After this not so successful result we drove all the way back to Reykjavik, arriving at the hotel at around 0200.

Fourth trip

I have now had my fourth - and for now last - trip this year confirmed. A small trip to Morocco in October for a week, trek in the Atlas mountains and climbing Mt. Toubkal, tallest point in Northern Africa. While there is a summit as our goal it is a simpel trek; no climbing, no snow, no ice. Quite a relaxing walk with hopefully some great views.

19th of October

Flight from Copenhagen to Marrakesh at a horribly early departure. Arriving in Marrakesh our pickup drives us to the village Imlil.

20th of October

Starting the trek with walking up to Tizi n´Tamatert at an altitude of 2279m. From here we continue on to Tacheddirt which is located at 2314m. The town is the highest located town in the Atlas mountains.

21th of October

Continuing we pass through Tinerhourhine and Ikkiss at app. 1600m, after which we ascend back up and end up at Tizi Oudite which is at 2200m.

22th of October

Returning back down into the valleys we end up in Ait Aissa, continuing to Tizi Oussem and after this we go back up and ascend a total of almost 1400m, ending up at app. 3000m.

23th of October

From here we start the actual walk towards the Toubkal massif. We start a steep ascent to Adrar Aguelzim at 3550m, after which we slowly descend back down to 3206m and Toubkal Refuge where we will spend the night.

24th of October

Early start in the morning were we walk to the summit of Toubkal at  4167m. Return down again and spend the night at Toubkal Refuge.

25th of October

Descending 1400m to Imlil from where we drive back to Marrakesh and have the afternoon free.

26th of October.

Flight back home.

That was not expected...

When normal people do some impulsive purchasing they usually end up with more clothes, gadgets or something similar. When I do it I end up with another trip... This time it's a quick trip to Iceland during the Easter holidays.

28th of March

Early departure to Reykjavik via Oslo. I would have preferred a direct flight but it wouldn't get me there until mid-afternoon. I arrive around midday where I have the afternoon by myself where I can have a wander and check in at the hotel. In the evening - if it doesn't get cancelled due to bad weather - I get picked up to go for a drive where we start off with exploration of some lava caves, a dinner at Rauda Husid restaurant in Eyrarbakki (which involves lobsters), and finishing off with driving out into the darkness to hunt for aurora borealis (northern lights). A late return to the hotel is to be expected.

29th of March

Visiting Golden Circle we will be seeing geysirs, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir national park. This will be followed by visiting the Leiðarendi lava caves.

30th of March

Departing the hotel the aim for the day is to go to Sólheimajökull glacier on the southern part of the island where we will have a short hike before we get the chance of trying some ice wall climbing. On the way back we will be passing by the Skógafoss waterfall.

31st of March

Going to the Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa) in the morning for some relaxation, and catching a plane back home in the afternoon.

Second confirmation

... and shortly after this year's first confirmation the first trip of the year (for now...) was also confirmed.

12th of July

Departure from Copenhagen

13th of July

Arrival in Johannesburg after a short layover in Frankfurt. Looking forward to it - second leg is with an A380!

14th - 15th of July

Going north into Botswana we aim for Khama Rhino Sanctuary, including a visit of nearby villages Serowe and Maun.

16th of July

Further north we end up at the Okavango Delta where we will spend time in a bush camp where we will be going on game walks and getting around in mokoros, a traditional dug-out canoe.

17th - 18th of July

A quick trip back to Maun where we pick up any luggage we didn't bring to the delta and we continue on to Gweta, located in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, apparently a great place to see some beautiful sunsets. We continue on to Chobe National Park which can boast of having the largest elephant population in Southern Africa.

19th - 20th of July

We cross the Zembezi river and enter Zambia to go to Livingstone. Here we will have access to various activities, including the Victoria Falls.

21st - 22nd of July

Crossing into Zimbabwe, going to Bulawayo which will function as our base when visiting Matobo National Park. We will be exploring the national park by both foot and open safari vehicles. Among many other things it will be possible to see both white and black rhinos.

23rd - 25th of July

Going back south back into South Africa we spend a single night in Musina before going to Kruger National Park.

26th of July

Return to Johannesburg.

27th - 28th of July

Return back home, same route as before. Including the A380.

First trip this year

I am planning several trips this year and I just received confirmation for the first one. This time it's a week's trip to eastern Turkey where the goal is to climb Mt. Ararat, 5165m tall.

4th of September

Departure from Copenhagen in the evening

5th of September

Arrival in Van after a short layover in Istanbul. Upon arrival we will drive to Dogubeyatzik.

6th - 10th of September

We will start with a short drive to Eli at 2200m, after which we will start our climb to Camp I at 3200m. This is followed by an acclimatization hike to up to 4100m, and after an extra night in Camp I we will climb to Camp II at 4100m. The climb towards to top starts early and near the top crampons might be necessary. When descending we continue all the way down to Camp I. Continue back to Van where we spend the last night in Turkey.

11th of September

Flight back to Copenhagen via Istanbul.