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| This cross-country skiing trip was arranged by Ferðafelag Islands. Transportation was by super jeeps to Sigalda powerstation and then onwards to Bjallavad ford. The last part of the route to Bjallavad proved difficult for the super jeeps since they were constantly falling through ice into ponds which lay below. From there we stepped on to the skis and skied towards Landmannalaugar hut. On the second day we made a daytrip into Jokulgil canyon but on the last day we skied back to Bjallavad ford where the super jeeps picked us up. The weather was fine the first two days but then worsened. The third day started with sleet and poor visibility but after noon it cleared up. |
We stepped on to the skis at Bjallavad ford. First we crossed lavas and plains until we climbed up Hnausaskard pass. Then we again skied across plains where in some places ponds lay beneath a thin ice. We skied across a couple of these ponds. Crossing the ponds usually went well except in one place where I (as the heaviest participant) managed to fall through the ice twice in the same pond. The depth of the water was approximately one meter but when I fell I got wet up to my shoulders. I managed, with assistance, to step out of the water the first time but the second time I was surrounded by feeble ice and it took me 5 minutes to crawl, with skis underneath, onto the ice and then carefully manouvre 100-200m to the shore. The bath didn't harm me, not least because the weather was good, the sun was shining and I wore good clothes. Onwards we went over small ridges until we came to Frostastadahals ridge. From there was a short trip to Landmannalaugar hut.
This day we made a daytrip to Jokulgil canyon. I joined a part of the group which climbed hills (using skins underneath the skis) west of the canyon and then we could ski down to the canyon.
The day began by skiing in sleet and low visibility. While the visibility was low we skied along a group of jeeps which was also going to Sigalda. This time we took a more westerly route than the first day and we had therefore no ponds to clear today! As we progressed further north the weather inproved until we had clear skies. This time around we went a bit further than Bjallavad ford since the super jeeps were running late.
