Einar Páll Svavarsson

Halla by the lava flow

Halla by the lavaflow
Originally uploaded by emstrur

Standing near a lava flow or a volcano for that matter is not something you have an opportunity to do often in your lifetime. When the first eruption was at its peak I took a hike with my daughter Halla to take a look at the volcano. It was about a three hour hike through some difficult terrain in the winter time. It was on the other hand worth it.
As can be seen from the photo she was standing quite near the lava river that came from the crater nearby. It was a spectacular sight. We could feel the heat from the lava and hear the rumble from the volcano.
Hard to match.
The whole trip took about seven hours not including the drive from Reykjavík and back. 

Hiking on Brennisteinsalda

Hiking on Brennisteinsalda
Originally uploaded by emstrur

If you are going to hike, why not hike through some exotic landscape? From Landmannalaugar on your way to Þórsmörk (in the neighborhood of Eyjafjallajokull) the landscape is just out of this world.
You are walking through steam from the ground, lava from 1480 and some colorful mountains formed some thousands of years ago.
With your backpack full you are prepared to hike through some interesting places.  Hrafntinnusker the glacier with the interesting ice cave, Ljósártungur the colorful landscape, Álftarvatn with its mysterious tales, Emstrur with its moutntains and Þórsmörk the most beautiful landscape in Iceland.  Where else can you walk on a volcano?