Aug 28 – At Landmannalauger

It rained most of the night and was in the low single digits in the morning. I felt bad for all the people in tents.

There are sheep that seem to roam around freely.

The rain et up around 9 and was supposed to come back after 12 (it came much earlier) so we headed out for our hike.

The hike has an Icelandic name but we called it the Short Loop. It is 4.7 km long and goes up the middle of the nearby lava field then out the end and back around one side.

Up we go.

We always watch for tiny flowers.

Looking ahead through the lava covered in moss.

The photosphere.

We initially had all our rain gear on but it was too hot so layer after layer came off.

The path through this section was wide and smooth.

Another of many photospheres today.

Colourful mountains to one side.

More mountains with thermal vents on the other side.

A photosphere.

Down the end of the lava field. There is a 4 day hike that cross the flat field and heads over the mountains in the distance. 

A photosphere.

At the bottom we passed by this calm colourful pool reflecting the rocks.

Then we had to climb up over a small hill and down into another valley.

The rain had started up again (early) so back on went the rain gear.

A photosphere.

Then up some stone steps to pass near the steaming vents.

Then over to a really large one.

A photosphere.

It had a very strong sulphur smell and we got a bit wetter passing through the cloud.

No we went back into the lava but the trail was very rough and jagged

The photosphere.

A viewpoint down into a pretty valley.

More tiny flowers.

Onwards

Looking down on the river valley we would eventually descend into.

The other trials here all climb the nearby mountains.

Way beyond our fitness level.

Down we go.

Beside this dark grey cliff.

And back to the car.

To get in and out of the campground you have to cross the river. I would guess it was between 1 and 2 feet deep.

On the road back out we saw a whole string of people running in. I am not sure where they stared but when we saw the last of them they had at least 15 km to go.

Some lovely blue water near a dam.

And the finally back to the relief of smooth pavement.

 

And to another campground in a field.