18.-19. October 2004
On a highway the public roads administration handles painting the lines and putting down sticks to mark the way. In the Icelandic highlands they consider the less traveled roads to be outside their area. Sticking 4x4 tracks in the highlands is therefore in the hands of those that use them.
The Icelandic 4x4 club has a custom of sending a team of volunteers to mark tracks with sticks. The sticking trip is planned for each autumn.
The morning in Reykjavik starts out wet and cloudy, but as we drive further east the clouds disappear. Eyjafjallajokull rises high above the southern region.
The plan is on gathering the group at Selfoss at 9:30 in the morning. Arrangements have been made of buying wooden sticks to use. With two trailers and one truck we can carry around 500 sticks.
Beautiful Thjorsardalur is on our way to the highlands.
A sign from the 4x4 club and the motocross club gives a clear message to travelers.
DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROADS!
On terrain like this it is perhaps tempting to drive on the sand and just go straight ahead. That would unfortunately ruin the look of the land and would make getting lost easy if you tried to follow a wrong track. Vegetation takes a long time growing in this arctic highland.
With mount Hekla in the rear and the group is getting ready to start work. Gudmundur Bragason on his Toyota LandCruiser on 38" mudders also has a trailer with 38" tires.
Gudmundur stays at the front and the boys take their seats on the trailer and throw sticks at regular intervals.
4x4 Off Roads!
Joi takes a 2 wheel drive truck with a bunch of sticks. Driving this track is possible but the suspension is definitely not built for such conditions.
This amazing stone looks just like a dinosaur!
Gunni and Einar use a specially build stick hammer after making a hole with the pinch bar.
Rock Willow (Salix arctica) makes it's living space in a small crack on a rock.
Valur left his old Scout behind and uses his Musso this time, hauling a trailer.
Manmade lake catches our attention...
...and the view to Hofsjokull ice-cap is GRAND!
The Rock Willow, the sand and rocks and the ice-caps on the horizon!
This Nissan Patrol 2000 on the 38" inch Ground Hawk is a very well equipped 4x4. Modifying Patrols is relatively easy and inexpensive. Here it has just crossed Thjorsa at Soleyjarhofdi.
The boys are having a great time and stay out the whole day!
Dagur shows us the correct route of crossing the river. His extra long Toyota Hilux Double cab is on 38" tires.
Einar, Asgeir and Gunni stand in the evening sun in front of the hut at Nyidalur. This is going to be our sleeping place for the night. It is getting chilly!
Einar controls the grill. Dinner is prepared by digging a hole. Lamb legs are covered with aluminum foil and then put on hot coals underneath as well as above. Potatoes are also wrapped in foil and put on top. The hole is then covered for one and a half hour.
Everyone is hungry after the long day and dinner is well received.
The heater is old but works ok. The problem is that the hut is built without insulation!
Saturday - Sunday
