Chapter 20 - Overnight adventure!

We embarked on a little adventure last night! A friend of Birna was celebrating her 37th birthday up in a little cabin on a mountain in the middle of woop woop - a place called Fimmvörðuhálsi. Me, Birna, and two of Birna´s friends from her MBA class, thought it would be fun to go visit Steina up in the cabin to help celebrate her birthday. It was a mission – but a fun journey... And you know what they say... It´s the journey not the destination!

We left after work at about 6pm and drove south east along the coast for about 3 hours. Then we went off road for another 13km in very rough and rocky terrain – only possible in a 4WD. We also had to cross a river and I was secretly peeing my pants at this time, as the current was quite strong and there were patches where it was difficult to see how deep the water was. (If I had of packed my snorkel and flippers, I probably would have put them on!) Then the road (if you can call it that) came to an end and we had to hike another 40 minutes or so to get to our final destination... a little cabin on top of a mountain off in the distance. The hike was quite rocky, steep and icy, but the weather and the scenery were awesome! And of course we couldn´t arrive at a birthday bash without any cake, so we hiked all the way with two cakes under our arms!

We arrived at the cabin at around 10pm. A hot bowl of soup, coffee, cake, hot chocolate, and wine awaited our arrival. There were also a few other people already at the cabin celebrating and being merry! We stayed for about 3 hours, chatting and laughing and having a good time, before commencing our hike back at around 1am.

A special mention however is required for the toilet in the cabin before I go on... To put it VERY mildly... the smell was not something you would want to bottle and sell... and apparently the toilet was one where women had to pee standing up??!! As curious as I was to check this out (and maybe even test this out), I left the honours to Birna.. who stuck her head in and came out again... rather quickly... looking a little pale and disoriented... before deciding that squatting outside was a better option... fresh mountain air and a free view to go with it! So alas, I followed in her footsteps (not literally of course) and did the same!

So anyways... getting back to the hike... It was 1am and almost dark, VERY cold and windy, although the weather was still clear. I had my thermal underwear on, as well as trackpants, jacket, beanie, gloves and wind/rain proof jacket and pants on over the top... and I was still cold!

Then we began the long journey back home in the 4WD... through the rugged terrain... the river crossing... and the rest (mostly whilst drooling in our sleep)... and 4 hours later we were home! I think we were in bed by 5am (on a school night too... wow, we are such rebels!)

So it looks like tonight will be a quiet night... a little barbie on the balcony followed by a lazy TV night on the new couch!

But just getting back to the weather for a minute... Many people underestimate the icelandic weather and hike without proper clothing – the weather can change very quickly – with wind, rain, fog and zero visibility quite common up there in the mountains. People have died because they have underestimated the weather and not respected Mother Nature. Birna was a tour guide up in the Highlands for three summers and knows just how unpredictable the weather can be. She has all the proper hiking clothing and gear, and is always really well prepared whenever we venture out on hikes... luckily for me cos I am always the one saying “nooooo I don´t need that, I´m fine, the weather is nice"...yet low and behold she makes me take it and I´m always glad that I did!