Cooler 4x4 Trucks
More OffRoad Freedom!

Glacier Picture - Vatnajokull 8.-10. April 2004

Glacier Picture

Vatnajokull 8.-10. April 2004

Thursday

Starting out for a three day journey and the weather is a bit wet and foggy. Five trucks are heading to the South-East. Hopefully we get a chance to get on top of the highest mountain in Iceland, Oraefajokull (2119 m).

For this trip I serve as a co-driver for Sigurjon Sindrason on his Toyota Land Cruiser.

 

Rainy day
Driving over 400 km. (250 miles) takes the most part of the day. But as we travel east the weather is getting better. This is a scenic road, so I will let the pictures tell the story!

 

Sandstorm
Hjorleifshofdi rises out of a dust-cloud.

 

Oraefajokull
Oraefajokull (Öræfajökull) looks promising. Unfortunately getting there on 4x4's is not possible from this side. The highest point is in the center of this picture (Hvannadalshnjukur)

 

Hafrafell
Getting closer you can better appreciate the height of the mountains.

 

The last gas station
The last chance for filling up the tanks is this small gas-station, run by a farmer. All the trucks are diesel powered.

 

Skuli and his wife
Skuli and his wife Magga, use the opportunity to grab a quick bite.

 

Off the highway
Finally off the highway! Here is the road that leads to the ice-cap. The temperature is unusually high for the time of year 20°C.

 

A steep climb
The road is winding and steep.

 

The glacier
Here we get a first close look at the glacier. This is just a small sampling or a finger from the Skalafellsjokull glacier. Skalafellsjokull is one of many glaciers that come out of Vatnajokull ice-cap.

 

Joklasel
The "hut" at Joklasel is really luxurious compared to other mountain huts. The hut is situated just at the side of the glacier.

We plan on staying here for two nights.

In a clear day like this you can appreciate the grand view.

 

Joklasel - view to the glacier
View to the glacier from Joklasel.

 

Joklasel - Glacier tours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joklasel has a business around leasing snowmobiles and
accommodation for tourists.

 

Off roads with a view
Due to the sunshine and the warm weather getting up the glacier is a bit difficult. After airing-down it gets easier. Since this is such a great day we don't mind.

 

Sigurjon and his Land Cruiser
Sigurjon Sindrason is enjoying the recently modified Land Cruiser. The 44 inch tires are proving them selves for snow driving. For such a big SUV the 38 inch Mudders where just to small!

 

Isuzu Trooper
Einar Johannesson with his wife Asdis had their daughter Rakel, skiing behind them. She had been anticipating this for months.
Their Isuzu Trooper is sporting 38 inch tires.

 

Sigurjon driving
Sigurjon driving on snow...

 

The Land Cruiser
...can you imagine a more perfect day!

 

Kalfafellsdalur
Since it is getting late, we drive only about 8 km. (5 m.). There we reach this place where we have unbelievable view over Kalfafellsdalur valley, and the southern parts of Vatnajokull.

 

Man and woman
Zooming in, it is easier to notice details in the landscape like the two rocks in the right center. They are named "Karl" and "Kerling" ("Man" and "Woman").

 

Stadarfjall
At the other side of the valley, Stadarfjall rises high.

On the way back to the hut I try on the skis with less than admirable results. I also get to drive the LC while Sigurjon is skiing. The LC is very strong and easy to handle in the snow with the big tires, automatic transmission and locking differentials.

This is fun!

Getting lower fog creeps in and we use the GPS tracks to help find the correct way.

Tomorrow is going to be the BIG DAY, on the ice-cap. Hoping to get visibility, we plan on starting early.

 

NEXT

 

Thursday - Friday - Saturday

By Thrandur Arnthorsson
Thrandur is the chief-editor and owner of 4x4 Off Roads and an 4x4 off road enthusiast. Living in Iceland he loves to share the coolest 4x4 trucks and supporting more offroad freedom.
Thrandur is the author of the free ebook How to lift your 4x4 truck!.