11TH JULY - DAY 5 - EMSTRUR/BOTNAR-ÞÓRSMÖRK

WHAT WE DID:

There was heavy rain for the first two hours or so, after which it stopped. Towards the end we had to wade a very wide river which could be crossed a bit at the time. After that we went uphill for a bit and then down again and reached the hut. Afterwards we did some climbing Valhanhukur (458m) to get a good view of the area.

COMMENT:

The weather was quite bad at the start but fortunately it didn't last all day. After a while there were some changes in the vegetation as we started seeing some trees. It took us quite a while to wade a shallow but wide river towards the end. After that, for the first time, we were inside a forest. We heard an 'alien sound' which we later identified as a bird.

When we went to the viewtop we got a very good view of the valley below us, we also so the ocean in the distance. However, had there been less fog, it would have been even better as we would have been able to see the glaciers surrounding the area - we only saw tiny bits of them. There were clouds coming from the sea at quite a speed but it didn't look like the view was going to get better so we went down again.

We would have got better views at the start of the trek, too, if it wasn't for the bad weather.

TECHNICAL ASPECTS:

Distance between huts: 15 Km

Today's wading gave us the most problems as the river was very wide but fortunately could be crossed bit by bit. The water was never that high (knee-height at most) but each time we had to choose a crossing spot. The water was, as usual, quite cold. Again, the stones weren't sharp so it could be crossed bare-footed.

THE HUT:

Sleeping bag accomodation, cooking facilities/equipment, gas, running water, WC, showers (you have to pay for showers).