The route from the car park and back.
Last weekend, Aimee and I went hiking up a mountain called Móskarðshnjúkar. It is a height of 807m (2647ft) and is a simply 9.2 kilometer (5.7 mile) there and back trip. It is only 20 minutes’ drive from Reykjavik, but it is well worth it as you feel like you are miles away from anybody.
Móskarðshnjúkar. It is the furthest right in this picture.
Móskarðshnjúkar is still very much covered in snow and we were the first people to hike it since the last snowfall. This meant that we post holed across the higher sections of the mountain, in our crampons and with our ice axes out. It was wild and very windy but what a great view!
Aimee hiking in the snow.
Me hiking in the snow.
Aimee on the last push to the top with Reykjavik in the background and Esja.
The view from top was spectacular, and we had not met anyone all day. This was until the summit where we bumped into a pair of hikers who had skis! They proceeded to pick a line down in the fresh snow and ski down. Very cool, and the best way to get down! I think I need a split board and bindings.
Fresh tracks from the summit.
Unfortunately, we didn't stay on the summit for long due to the biting cold wind and the weather on the horizon looked like they it might close in from the north. Still we headed down very happy with our accomplishment and stopped further down for lunch overlooking Esja and Reykjavik.
Esja on the right and Rejkjavik in the background.
What a great days hike and with fantastic weather. I am looking forward to more of this in the future.
But, maybe I should buy a splitboard and skins to make the return journey more interesting.
Kev
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Me, on the saddle just before the top of Móskarðshnjúkar