Quote from a mail that the Icelandic rescue team sent to us before departure:
»Crossing the Icelandic highlands in wintertime is serious business, and a large portion of those who attempt fail. I don‘t want to discourage you, just to warn you and take great care. High winds and quick changes in weather and temperatures are what surprise most cross highlanders up here. Two weeks ago our teams picked up a group on a similar route as yours, and their North Face tent had been ripped apart by wind, and they were wrapped up in the inner tent when the help arrived. However, skiing across the Icelandic highlands can also be the experience of your life, and many have done that in nice weather and good conditions. But it’s serious business, so just be careful!«
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 The read line is our route - 240 km skiing. |
 With taxi 50 km up in the mountains – here the adventure begins. |
 The first night we slept in a cabin, 20 km up in the mountains. Next morning the weather was quite bad. |
 The visibility is only a few meters. |
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 Open water is ahead, but we find a snow bridge across the river. |
 The weather is clearing up after snowdrift. |
 The hot spring near Laugefell cabin is 38 degrees celsius, but the wind makes the head cold. |
 Collecting snow to melt water. |
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 A short break on the way to Nýjidalur cabin. |
 A rare moment with almost clear and blue sky. |
 The weather is mild and it’s difficult to find the right wax for our skies. |
 After a long walk of more than 40 km, Nýjidalur cabin finally appears. |
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 Nýjidalur cabin is without heating, so we find the smallest room and start our small oven working on denatured alcohol. |
 Tenting on the way to Jökulheimar cabin. |
 The temperature is close to 0 degrees celsius, and the visibility is poor. |
 On the way to Jökulheimar this lava field suddenly turns up. It is 10 km wide and we have to zigzag to find a way through. |
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 A view of the lava field. |
 Tenting after we have passed through the lava field. |
 Jökulheimar gives shelter for the night before we begin the last and longest lap towards Hrauneyar. |
 The Icelandic highland is most beautiful in sunshine. |
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 A break with a view to Vatnajökul. |
 The poles in the background mark the summer highway for jeeps. |
 A break with a view to Vatnajökul in the background. |
 The snow amount is small due to the mild Icelandic winter. |
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 We have the nature and silence on our own. |
 Close to Hrauneyar and the civilization. |
 The landscape and light is constantly changing. |
 The first real sign that we are close to the civilization. |
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 One of the last obstacles gave us wet socks. |
 At this moment it’s very difficult to ski. |
 Almost the end after 240 km and 8 days on ski. |
