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Iceland
'Fire & Ice' trek 2010
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PHOTO:
Two trekkers silhouetted against the double waterfall
of Gulfoss
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FEEDBACK:
"Wow, wow, wow, wow! What else can I say about
this beautiful country"
Robert N, Carlisle, 2006
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| Course
Overview |
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The
memories of a visit to Iceland will stay with your
forever; bubbling mud pools, lakes full of icebergs,
plunging waterfalls and powerful and wild landscapes.
Most of these stunning landscapes are on the edges
of the permanent icecaps, such as the Vatnajökull.
This trek is designed to show you some of the best
landscapes, as well as great trekking. |
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Our
route varies from the thick birch woods of Thorsmörk,
to the multi-coloured hills and valleys that surrounds
the rhyolitic Landmannalaugar geothermal region,
where you can dip in hot pools. Then you continue
towards Reykjavik past Geysir and the stunning double
pitch waterfall of Gulfoss. This region of south
Iceland is called Fjallabak. |
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Key
volcanic highlights are the Eldgja volcanic fissure,
where you see craters, lavaflows, and canyons, and
also an ascent of Mount Hekla, Iceland's most active
volcano. Most of the area that the trek passes through
was previously buried under thick sheet ice, so
you witness the battle between the volcanic fire
and glacial ice that gives this trek its name. |
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Iceland
is situated just to the south of the Arctic Circle,
and it straddles the mid-Atlantic tectonic ridge,
so geologically is half in Europ and half in North
America! Essentially these plates are being torn
apart, so the volcanic activity is always present.
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For
the fact hunters, Iceland is the 18th largest island
in the world, and the 2nd biggest in Europe (after
the UK). Over 10% of the island is glaciated. The
major towns are the capital Reykjavík, Keflavík,
where the international airport is situated, and
Akureyri. The island of Grímsey on the Arctic
Circle contains the northernmost habitation of Iceland. |
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Dates: 7 - 14 August 2010
(8 days, with 6 days trekking). Extra dates can
be run on demand from late June through to early
September for groups of four or more people. For
current availability on this course click
here. |
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| Map
of Iceland |
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| Regional
Details |
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All
nationalities require a full passport that must
be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length
of stay. At the time of writing visas were not required
by UK or EU nationals. All other nationalities should
check with their embassy. |
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The
weather is massively variable in Iceland, but it
is rarely unpleasant. Due to its latitude, Iceland
is on the north edge of the temperate zone (the
UK is in the middle of the temperate zone), which
means mild winters (compared to Arctic zones) and
cool summers. Daytime temperatures in the summer
months range from 10° to 20°C (but they
could drop to freezing). When you are in the mountains,
be prepared for strong winds and rain / snow. If
you are ready for whatever is thrown at you, then
you will definately enjoy your trip more. |
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An
advantage of being so far north in the summer is
that there is constant daylight in May, June and
July, and only a few hours without the sun in the
months of April and August. |
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If you have any questions, or would like and further
information, please contact our Chamonix Office
team directly, as you can speak to an International
Mountain Leader who can answer any query that you
have about the itinerary or area. You can e-mail
them on reps@icicleUK.com or call 00 33 67 55 621
55. |
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
On this course you are led
by a British International Mountain Leader (IML).
This is the highest qualification for leading
trekking groups in the Alps (where it is a legal
requirement) and worldwide. To become an IML,
it takes several years to train. During the treks
their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment, education
and safety, all of which are equally important.
Being
led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring
far more than someone to show you the way. You
will learn about the environment, flora, fauna,
glaciology, geology, and geography of the region.
The leader will have a vast local knowledge. In
terms of safety an IML can
guide you on steep ground, on fixed equipment
(ladders, chains, etc), and over snow patches.
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Daily
Course Itinerary |
| Sat |
You
fly into Keflavik Airport for a transfer
to Reykavik. There is a full briefing, equipment
checks and an overview of the itinerary
for the week. We spend the night in the
comfortable guesthouse.
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| Sun |
In
the morning you drive east through the farmlands
of southern Iceland, towards Mount Mekla,
Iceland's most active volcano. The variations
in the lava and vegetation shaped by the forces
of erosion create a colorful and spectacular
scenery. You can drive to the edge of the
newest lava field from the year 2000. From
here you trek upwards along the volcano's
ridge to the summit. Upon returning to the
4x4 you drive on over a really rugged mountain
track past lava fields. There is a quick stop
at the Torfajökull glacier area, which
is the largest high-temparature geothermal
area in Iceland. The mountain view is spectacular
and at the top you enjoy a panorama of 8 glaciers.
Finally you pass the Dómadalur lava
fields, the landscape barren from the fallout
ash of Hekla's last eruption. Our
aim for the day is to reach the huge boiling
spring called Hrafntinnusker where we camp
for the night. Driving time 4 hours. Walking
time 6-8 hours. |
| Mon |
Today
we start through the canyon of Hrafntinnusker
passing more hot springs. We climb the snowfields
of the Kaldaklof Mountains and to reach the
summit of Mount Haskerdingur 1281m. This is
one of Icelands best viewpoints where there
are views ranging from dark volcanic deserts
to great glacier icecaps. We descend towards
the black plains of the beautiful Lake Alftavatn
and camp beside the lake. Walking time: 5
hours. |
| Tue |
We
head towards the huge Myrdalsjokull Ice Cap
crossing many rivers to climb to the green
lake of Hvanngil. The trek continues beneath
the peak of Storasula, crossing desert hills
to our campsite at Emstrur. Walking time 6
hours. |
| Wed |
Todays
trek passes through the impressive Markarfljot
Canyon towards the green birch forests of
the Porsmork Valley. A day passing through
spectacular scenery, but wihout too much strenuous
effort to rest you for tomorrows excursions.
Walking time: 5 hours. |
| Thu |
Today
is one of the spectacular hikes in Iceland.
We climb up the Fimmvorduhals Pass 1100m into
a narrow canyon to the steep ridge of Kattahryggur.
Here you are between two glacier covered volcanoes
of Myrdalsjokull 1460m and Eyjafjallajokull
1666m. We descend past the 60 metre high Skogarfoss
Waterfall. climb 1000 metres and descend 1000
metres during the course of a 22 kilometre
walk. We then have a 2 hour drive towards.
Night in guesthouse. |
| Fri |
If
the weather hampered efforts to summit Hekla
on the first day, this day gives a second
attempt, or it can be used to explore some
of the great natural features that make Iceland
so famous; the geysirs at Geysir, and the
double waterfall of Gullfoss. We return to
Reykjavík for sightseeing and celebrations.
Night in guesthouse in Reykavik. |
| Sat |
The
morning is free for you to spend as you wish.
Most people opt to explore Reykjavík
for local produce and presents.
You check out of your accommodation, and can
depart from 12:00. |
| N.B. |
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries.
Mountain adventures are weather and conditions
dependant, so occasionaly we are forced to
alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable
alternatives are offered. Please use this
outline itinerary as a guide to the types
of route / activity that you will attempt. |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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6
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total |
£1099 |
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Premium
course
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As
above, with an Icicle T-Shirt
To see the t-shirts, click on this
LINK |
£1109 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for six days,
2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings,
3) Accommodation in hotels / guesthouses / camping on
a B&B basis, 4) All road transport in Iceland, as
per the itinerary, 5) Pre course information booklet,
6) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 7) Free 36
page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Airport
transfers between Keflavik and Reykjavik. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Flights to and from Iceland, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals
in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels
/ restaurants, 4) Lunches and evening meals, 5) Activities
insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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