Ice Caves in Langjokull
Oli has just upgraded his Explorer with a brand new set of 44 inch Dick Cepec Fun Country tires. A trip to Langjokull with the goal of seeing the ice caves sounds like a pretty good idea. Especially since I haven't seen them before.
Even though we had a foggy day in Reykjavik there was the possibility of light northerly wind clearing the clouds. Getting to the west side of Langjokull by Husafell it is still fog. Aside from that the weather is warm for the season. My wife, Alfheidur and daughter, Maria Run, came along for the ride.
Beggi and Gunni on the 38 inch modified Wrangler have joined in for the trip...
...and Anton and Elisa with the snowmobile also.
Right there you can see how an unmodified Grand Cherokee behaves in snow. Treads on the tires fill up with snow and this is as far as it will go.
Oli installed Beadlocks on the outside of the rims. This makes it look cool - also it makes it almost impossible for the tire to fall off.
Oli and his father Kjartan in the Explorer.
Oli in his highly modified Explorer is free to go wherever he likes.
Driving a snowmobile is fun. Anton and his girlfriend Elisa take turns in driving it.
A snowmobile can go extremely fast. Visibility is however no better than in the trucks so you have to be careful.
4x4 Off Road!
With his father driving Oli uses the opportunity to shoot some action photos and even short video clips like this one...
Kids - Don't try this at home!
This is a HUGE ice cave! Showing year marks in the roof and with the large openings it looks impressive. Just imagine being inside of a giant Swiss cheese.
Looking in the other direction is another opening. Heavy chunks of ice have fallen down on the floor. Being hit by one would surely be fatal. Best to stay by the sides.
The ice caves are at the north-west side of the glacier, close to Flosaskard.
Heading back I lost track of the others - thinking that they were somewhere ahead.
After I came down off the glacier I got news that there had been a snowmobile accident on the ice-cap. A woman got some back injuries and Oli and Beggi had been close by. They could keep her warm until the rescue team arrived. On doctor recommendations it was not considered good to transport the woman in vehicle on such bumpy rides so a helicopter was called for.
At our post the police came first. They were not equipped to travel on ice or snow but a few minutes later this F-350 came along. Not much for me to do than wait.
Here are the snowmobiles from the group that had the accident.
The helicopter from the Icelandic Coast Guard had a hard time finding a spot to land on. They need to have good visual to a landing spot. On the glacier this was hard to find. Finally they landed close to the ice caves.
Last we heard is that the woman was inspected on a hospital and walked out safe and sound.
Photos by Oli and Thrandur.
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!.
