Snow — Blog — Kevin Hatcher Photography

Hiking in the wild. / May 4, 2017 by Kevin Hatcher

The weather in Iceland for the last week has been wet! I mean it has been raining for days! No fun! Now I don't mind hiking in the "weather" but not when it is pouring down with rain to begin with. That being said I have managed to get out and try to take some pictures, it is just the light doesn't always cooperate.

Hike 1 - Hvalvatn lake.

I have hiked towards this lake twice now via a Western approach trail to Gymur falls, but have never quite made it to the Hvalvatn lake or the summit of Hvalfell. This time I wanted to try and catch the sunset over Hvalvatn, and approached the lake from the West. I drove up as far as I could in my Skoda Octavia 4X4 estate, before the "roads" turned into a serious 4X4 track only, and hiked the rest.

I started at 5:00pm and the sunset was about 9:45pm, and I had a long way to go. The weather started with hail and wind, and thankfully eased off. It never really cleared however it did provide me with some amazing images of the snowy hills against the storm filled clouds. (New website Image!)

Unfortunately, I never made it to the lake, as the light was not in my favour and it was getting late. I reluctantly headed back, and as you can see from the GPS route below I still had a long way to go. The elusive Hvalvatn lake and Hvalfell will have to wait for another day.

Lesson learned today, always give yourself more time than you think.

Hike 2 - Pverfell.

Fast forward a few days and the sun is splitting the sky in Reykjavik, so I am up and out to see if I can go further into the wilds. Travelling just under an hour and half to hike Pverfell, and see if I could take a few images of the lake behind it. The greatest and worst thing about Iceland is the weather. I had only just left Reykjavik and it started raining, but I pushed on.

As you can see, a short route, but it was nice to be away on my own in the wilderness.

The light and weather seemed to be against me again, as when I reached the summit the clouds came in and engulfed me in fog. So no view today, but it was great to get more experience hiking in Iceland.

Hugging the cairn at the top of Pverfell.

What a great few days hiking and there is still so much more to see!

This weekend I am going to the Snæfellsnes peninsula and the famous Kirkjufell mountain and then next week down South East to Jökulsárlón to see the glacier lagoon and do some hiking in the Vatnajökull national park!

I can't wait, but the blog may have to wait until I get back.

Onward to the summer and camping in the wild.

Cheers

Kev

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Snow, hot pools, hiking and fjords. / April 19, 2017 by Kevin Hatcher

I am falling in love with Iceland! WOW! What an amazing place, if you can get past the wind, rain, snow, and cold...that usually happens all in one day.

If I am honest, I like "weather" and I like that you have to work with the elements to explore. It goves you an enoumours sense of achievement.

Easter weekend in northern Iceland.

Day 1 - Reykjavik to Skagafjörður.

Standing in the wind on top of the Grábrók Crater...Just.

The drive up to Skagafjörður was a few hours but we broke up the driving with a few stops. Just north of Borgarnes there is a crater at Grábrók, which is a short walk around an old extinct crater. Great place, but very, very windy!

As the drive continued I had to stop to admire a snowy pass when the sun came out with amazing blue skies. The whole scene just glowed in the evening sun! Truly beautiful.

Hot pool at Grettislaug. Thank you Aoife M for the image. — Hot pool at Grettislaug.
Thank you Aoife M for the image.

The last planned stop before the end of day was in Grettislaug hot pot. This is a short drive off the main road about 20km down a gravel track. At the end of the track there are two small hot pot/pools, and a cafe. Relaxing in this quiet pool with the occasional dip into the icy cold sea was idyllic.

But sadly, all too brief, as the sun was setting and our hostel, Mirco Bar and Bed was waiting. Skagafjörður is not far and after dinner and a few very good craft beers, it was time for bed.

Day 2 - Skagafjörður to Akureyri.

Next day we were up early from the hostel and out along the Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula). This area is the most northerly I have ever been. But we did manage to get a great view for lunch, and what a view! Next stop was Siglufjörður, which is a small town that would provide us with a small hike in the snow and the best Swiss Moca ever! Yum!

Hiking in the snow on the avalanche barrier.

Then it was onto our final destination...Akureyri.

Day 3 - Lava fields, Grjótagjá cave and hot pool.

Guess what, back into the car we go! Today it is off to walk across an old lava field and up a crater, followed by a dip in the Myvatn Nature Baths. Not to shabby for a day when the light was grey and the temperatures where cold! Brrr!

Oh OK...we also stopped at Goðafoss waterfall, which is amazing! You get so close and you get a real sense of water flow. I will have to come back to get a better image of this iconic waterfall.

Day 4 - Mt Súlur Hike.

Wakey, wakey time for hike. Blue skies and sunshine and fresh snow, what a great day for it too!

The chosen hill was Mt Súlur, just behind Akureyri. It took 6 hours to do the round trip, with most of it post holing all the way up. But the views on the way up where amazing, with fresh snow, and bright sunshine.

Hike up Mt  Súlur. The bright one on the right. — Hike up Mt Súlur. The bright one on the right.

Sadly no view from the top but well worth the hike.

Day 5 - Akureyri to Reykjavik.

Like all good things, they must come to an end. We left Akureyri for the long four and half hour drive home. We did stop at one of the last surviving turf roof churches in Iceland where we met a new friend.

Lights, camera, action.

A great few days away, with some great stops. I will have to go back up north and try and get some more images with better light. Unfortunately the "weather" was not quite as sunny and bright as I had hoped, but that means I will just have to go back!

Not a bad thing in the least.

The gang of adventurers on top of Hverfall Crater.Aoife, Aimee, Me, and Tim in the background (he is having fun...honest!) — The gang of adventurers on top of Hverfall Crater.
Aoife, Aimee, Me, and Tim in the background (he is having fun...honest!)

Well, I hope you enjoyed the pictures and stories, until the next time.

Kev

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