4x4 Snow Pictures
Snow comes and a trip to the closest volcano is on schedule. After spending the holidays eating and meeting with the family everyone is anxious to seize the day!
Einar had offered me a ride in his Cherokee since my truck is too loud for comfortable rides. Two other trucks are in our group, Birgir in his 1999 Land Cruiser 90 and Armann in his 1991 Land Cruiser 80.
Temperature is well below freezing as we gather at the gas-station. A lot of other 4 wheelers have already come to the same station obviously with similar intentions. Daylight is only for a little over 4 hours now so it's important to start before sunrise. It is now 9 o'clock.
This nicely modified Chevy S10 on 44 inch tires is ready for the action!
Same can be said of these snowmobiles riding on a big pickup. Being filled with gas and are on there way to the highlands.
By first light we are going off the highway and soon have to start airing down the tires to be able to move on. Armann has just invested in the LC 80 on 38 inch Ground Hawk II tires. He is learning as he goes.
We meet an old colleague of mine Olafur Gudgeirsson who has just bought the Izusu Trooper with 38 inch tires, is trying it out on the snow.
The route we take is quite popular today and the snow is thick and new so it is difficult to get out of the track and move faster than the others.
Snow-white extra long Bronco II on 38 inch tires. The length improves drivability a lot.
Forest-green Grand Cherokee on 38 inch Radial Monster Mudder tires. Has the original axles and performs well in this heavy snow.
Wine-red old-willys on 44 inch Dick Cepec Fun County and obviously lots of modifications is sitting on the track with no owner in sight. It has probably some mechanical problems and will be picked up later to day.
Einar helps this Land Cruiser on 44 inch Trxus tires get unstuck. It is often the quickest way to use an elastic nylon rope for such tasks.
Driving in deep snow on level ground can be difficult. But getting up the slopes of a mountain is harder still. Best way is to go as slowly as you can and try no to dig in. As soon as the tires start spinning they will form a hole making it hard to move in either direction. Sometimes it is possible to take parts of a slope using speed but you have to be ready to yield before the tires dig in.
This part proved extremely hard to get up. Here is Armann climbing older tracks. But as you can see the holes do not make it easier!
Birgir finds another track and is able to get up without much trouble.
View from Skjaldbreidur is magnificent in all directions.
Armann with the rope on the front frame. It got used a few times 🙂
Older type of Nissan Patrol with 38 inch tires is making its own track going up! It no doubt has extra low gearing to make this possible.
This Nissan Patrol highroof is even older but is doing a good job.
"Lonesome at the top" is not exactly how I would describe the situation. The top of the volcano Skjaldbreidur is the destination for most.
Grand view at midday when morning and evening meet with the low sun!
Mustard-yellow 1974 Jeep CJ5 with brand new coil spring suspension is owned by a member of "The Clown" (i. Trúðurinn) a Formula Off Road team.
Toyota Hilux Double Cab is probably still the most popular truck for modifications here. It is light, has strong driveline, is available with diesel and is relatively inexpensive.
Izusu Trooper with the greatest view...
This Mitsubishi Pajero has all the basic accessories you need for snow travel. You can see the high-lift jack, aluminum iron-bar and a shovel. On the top are antennas for CB radio and NMT phone (or perhaps VHF radio).
Notice there is no spare 38 inch tire. In case of puncture he must have a tire repair set.
We decide to take another route back.
It is getting dark when we reach the road where we start to pump the tires. Einar has a pump at the left side under the hood. The tires will last longer if they are not to soft for highway driving. Getting the pressure up to 10-15 psi is enough to reach the next gas station with a more powerful pump.
Birgir helps Armann out by giving him air for his tires also.
This has been a great day and full of snow and enjoyment!
Thrandur
4x4OffRoads.com
