Now it is time to on a glacier hike, this was the day I had been waiting for so long, I couldn't even imagine how it is to walk on a glacier. This glacier hike will come in 2 part series because I have too many photos of this I wish to share with you all.
This is the only guided tour on Iceland I bought and the reason is really simple. First, I didn't have the equipment to go on this hike and going without proper tools means certain death for you. Secondly, it think the experience is much better when someone actually describes the process and everything relevant.
It was scheduled for 9.30 AM when we needed to be at the location to meet our group and our guide. Our group wasn't big( 8 people). Our guide explained that he won't go with bigger groups on these hikes because its hard to be responsible for everyone and look over they don't do anything that puts lives in danger. There are hikes with big groups as well but these are short ones(1.5h) and they don't go far where it gets dangerous. Of course, I and my GF chose to go on a full hike(5h) to get the full experience of the glacier and of course, this wasn't cheap(150euros) if you are planning to take this hike. Didn't care, we weren't there to cheap out. One more thing, we booked the spot several months ahead, because there aren't many places on the list.
Falljökul, the glacier we were about to hike
Doesn't look that huge? well, the picture doesn't describe this as it really is. It takes over 11 hours to get to the very top.
Our hiking equipment:
- Helmets, there may be falling ice chunks.
- Ice ax, you can carve stairs with it and extreme cases stop you from skidding down +for holding balance on steep places.
3)Hiking boots are necessary + crampons (the sharp thing that goes on your boots) - Harness and rope.
- Some food supply.
- Water and windproof clothing.
- Sunglasses are optional but recommended because it may get pretty bright when the sun reflects from ice.
Our guide had many many more equipment with him.
Place where we went on the glacer
The first part wasn't very hard to walk. The terrain was pretty smooth and it wasn't that steep, tiring nevertheless.
So what is Glacier? Some of you might ask. Glacier is a river of ice slowly moving downwards from the top of the mountain due to accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles.
Not everywhere where snow falls in the mountains cant produce moving glaciers. Necessary is much precipitation( rain and snow) and it is essential that temperature goes above freezing point so snow melts and then freezes when the temperature drops up there. Over many years so much ice forms that it starts to move down from the mountain and that's how glacier forms. Ice that moves down from the side of the mountain may be decades old.
Fun fact: Glacier ice melts much slower due to much bigger ice crystals than usual ice.
Falljökull gets as high as 1400 meters above sea level. This is a fastest moving glacier in Iceland, If I'm not mistaken, it moves 1meter every day because it's so steep. You can actually hear glacier moving under your feet, kinda creepy. This is not unusual that new cracks can form during your stay on the glacier. The best way I can describe glacier moving is like thunder sound that's not very close.
This is the highest point we went, terrain already got very rugged and very steep. There was no way we could go any further without special ropes and climbing equipment, maybe next time!
There are many waterfalls of ice melting water around. We were told that if we fell in some of the waterfalls or caves, you will slide into tunnels and you will be lost forever, there is no way to rescue anybody, even more, you will get hypothermia in 10 minutes and you will die faster than any rescue team will even reach there.
One more fun fact: You can't live off the water that comes from waterfalls and glacier ice melting because this water is 100% pure, there are no essential salts in the water your body needs to stay alive. This doesn't mean this water is all useless, this still temporarily helps but after a week of consuming only this water, you will be dead.
Our awesome guide, he is from Chile and spends his summers in the polar circle guiding hikes, awesome job!
Stay tuned for the part 2 of the glacier trip!
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Nothing quite like hiking on a glacier. I have done a similar thing in both Argentina and Nepal. Love the tones in that first shot.
Oh nice, well the experience was amazing and unique, really want to hike some more glaciers in the future.
And thanx!
Love how detailed this post is! This must of been one heck of an adventure! Love the photos too :)
Its great you liked what you saw! and it sure was one hell of an experience.
Hi @greddyforce,
I found you through curie - they are having a contest that pays out if you make thoughtful comments on the posts they support. I seeing things I never would have seen and this is spectacular! You are so brave to even attempt such a thing. I would be the lady waiting back in the car while you all have your fun! My luck would put me into one of the waterfall tunnels never to be seen again.
I love the blue ice shades and it is amazing to see green in the same shots. What a wonderful trip and I can see why you need two posts. Your photos are really stunning.
Congrats on the curie vote. You certainly deserve it.
Hey, I'm glad you like the pics. Haha yeah, you gotta be careful, one wrong move and you are history, but I love extreme places!
What stunning photos! When I think of glaciers I think of cold. Was it cold there? I think if it were it would be totally worth it to witness those mysteries of nature. thanks for sharing!
Thank you! No it actually wasn't cold there. Kind of same temperature you have anywhere else outside. It was a little bit colder when we were higher. Moreover hiking and walking makes you sweating hard. When there are strong winds then there might actually be cold.
Amazing experience @greddyforce, thanks for sharing. I was at the glacier back in February but never got the chance to be on it (feel free to check out my iceland posts) - i'm very envious right now lol - upvoted and following...
Thank you, ohh next time you go somewhere where glaciers exist, I strongly recommend you to take that hike and by the way if im not mistaken, I have seen some of your Iceland posts in steemitworldmap.
That's cool, thanks - i'm going to have to do that one day. Your trip has inspired me :)
Stunning posts!!it looks like the photos are from an other world with this special colors and textures. On the first photo it almost looks like a small glacier not an 11h hike!!!It is quite impressive.
Thanx! Yeah many landscape shots wont describe how it really is. Everythign is so much more massive when you see it with your own eyes.
Wow, some of the pictures are so icy that reminds me of Ice Age, haha.
Visiting such a frozen place is on my bucket list but just as you said is very, very important to be well equipped. I know that having more equipment means more weight and moving slower during your hike but better slow and safe than fast and dead, lol. (the cruel truth have been told)
I like that you attached so many pics, from the beginning of the track and during the hike, it gives a more continuation to your story and that's very important.
Respect for the awesome climb! Stay safe! :)
Haha yeah they actually remind yep and yeah you should always be well equipped when going on a glacier. You should definitely get this experience whenever you might have a chance!
What an awesome adventure you had ... and how proud you can be at yourself! Love the photo's ... and the fun fact that you'lll die after one week of consuming only this water is completely new to me. Thanks for letting me learn something ;-)
Oh yes, I had! There is always something new, cool stuff to know about :)
Wow! My neighbours just got back from their two week hike up a glacier in Iceland. I myself didn't go to the glacier at all during my trip. I'll save that for the next one. It looks gorgeous and I have nothing but respect for people like you who dare to do this. BRAVO!
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Ooh you totally should do this one day, one thin you never forget!
Ooh you totally
Should do this one day, one thin
You never forget!
- greddyforce
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
i think you need to be quite fit to do this but the rewards are worth it going by the beautiful views you can see
Well, you should be able to handle some exhausting walking upwards and a little climbing maybe but no you dont need to be an athlete top fit person. Views were rewarding as thw whole experience!
Wow! What a force of nature - I never realized that glaciers were actually flows, how very interesting.
I feel like hearing the ice break up and move under my feet would be such an unnerving experience, although with such views as you are showing us I probably won't need to go, just book mark this and check back anytime I have an urge to climb a glacier ;p
Yup glaciers are amazing things, when you ahe a chance to go, I strongly advise you to!
OK, I will put it on my to-do list, but it sure seems scary! I do like to conquer my fears though and I appreciate your encouragement :)
Pleasure is all mine :)
Hiya, just swinging by to let you know that this post made the Honorable mentions list in the Travel Digest #288.
Please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider upvoting the Travel Digest if you like what we're doing.
Once a while one should take himself out for such an adventure.
The first picture of the whole place despises the whole experience, but it becomes much detailed as we unfold the other pictures. I see the cause for the 11 hours.
Nice experience.
Yep, gotta do something extreme from time to time :)
Great post, super adventure that sticks with one for a lifetime and also kinda scary. Awesome you thought to share this with us.
Be safe mate
P.S: Noticed some typos. Perhaps, English is not your first language.
Yes, amazing experience.
You are correct, English is not my home language, I speak Estonian :)
Learned all my english from movies and PC games lol :D
You still did a great job mate... If only I was a genius like you... To be able to learn languages from movies and games! Haha. Be safe
Oh wow- what an incredible adventure- good for you for choosing the 5 hour hike and getting the full experience. I have to admit that when you described falling into a waterfall or tunnel and getting lost forever, that gave me the chills. It's good to remember that we are not all-powerful and that the earth and nature can be deadly!
Wonderful photographs too- I love the one of you all in single-file, climbing up through the small ravine. I didn't know that about the 100% pure water... but I'm guessing if you're stuck out there without food... you're realistically unlikely to last very long anyway- simply because of the cold factor!
Brilliant post- really enjoyed it!
E x
Yes, adventure was unforgetable. It might seem strange but it was not so cold there. About 7-10C.
When strong wind comes, that changes things :D
Gosh, you'd never guess that it was that warm, with all that ice around, but I can imagine that as soon as that wind picks up, you really know you're surrounded by the stuff! E x