Iceland: The clue’s in the name…

I’ve just returned from a trip to Iceland, which as the name might have suggested to a more observant traveller, can, at times, be quite cold.

Having spent the large part of my summer working in Norway, there was a large part of me that was questioning why I don’t go to warm places. Within 24 hours in the country however, we’d already paddled a truly incredible river in one of the most stunning gorges I’ve seen, been welcomed by the unrivalled icelandic hospitality, and scouted our first park ‘n huck…

Scouting Reykjafoss from the lip

Having in previous years spent more hours than I can count watching Valhalla (the best* kayaking movie ever made, in case you were wondering), my trip to Iceland was something of a pilgrimage, and a chance to follow in the footsteps of boating heroes. It was, therefore, with the footage of an unlucky Seth Warren breaking his ankles playing in my head, and Valhalla’s pounding metal soundtrack playing in my ears that we set off around Europe’s most volcanic** island.

A sweet 9m stomach-in-mouth boof.

The Adam and Nick show: perfectly synchronised, Small Gothafoss.

If you ask the right people very nicely, you might acquire directions to this crack, which can be found hiding in the middle of an ancient, featureless lava field. If you find it, and can then find a safe way down 12m or so of vertical polished walls into the depths, you will be rewarded.

The Norse gods know how to run a good bath.

Sara James drops the big line on the classic Gothafoss. Why not send a collection hat around the crowd of tourists? It’ll pay for a victory ice cream…

On one of our outings we were lucky enough to paddle the Barka, another mysterious yet rewarding gem uncovered earlier this summer by the guys on Ben Brown’s trip (see his earlier iceland post).

Adam D on a clean looking 8m drop, Barka.

Tom P on a sweet double drop, Barka.

The stunning Gorge of the East Glacial river, Adam, Sara, and Myself enjoy the evening sunshine

All in all an amazing trip in a country which culturally, geologically, and grammatically exceeds all expectations. There is still as of yet a huge supply of unrun waterfalls and rivers waiting to be found, as well as a huge list of classic and not so classic whitewater ready and waiting. I can’t wait to go back.

A huge thanks to Mark and all of the guys at the rafting center in Varmalith, who sorted us out a treat.

I’m back in the UK for the winter now, and hoping for a wet one. I’m off to the Wet West Paddle Fest this weekend so hope to see lots of people there…

Big love, and safe hucking

Nick

*In my opinion, which happens to be correct, in my opinion.

**I couldn’t find a scale for volcanic-ness, but I’m pretty sure it would be.

Photos from Sara James and Nick Horwood