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Offroading Myrdalsjokull

February 20.-21. 2010

 

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The area around Myrdalsjokull ice-cap is one of my favorites. And I think you will agree after reading about our newest offroading tour. Stunning landscape far away from the stressful city life.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Gudmundur and his brother Dagur arranged the trip as a mixed 4x4 and snowmobile tour. Gudmundur leads the snowmobilers and Dagur the 4x4s. The plan is for the snowmobilers to cross the ice-cap and us to take the trail to the hut at Strutur.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Soon we have to cross the river Gygja - nice and deep and partly frozen.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

There is almost no snow in the trail and that is partly the cause for the first problem. When trying to force my way through a patch of snow, I hit a sharp tire cutting stone. Since we don't carry spare wheels in shorter tours this calls for some outside help and to get the wheel back where we can get a spare one.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

After some discussion and phoning up s few friends, Dagur takes me and the wheel back to Hvolsvollur, more than an hours drive back.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The local rescue unit, Dagrenning are willing to lend us a tire and after some good help we get the damaged tire off and the "new" one ready. Unfortunately the tire is old and tired and is already leaking. We use a few Safety Seal plugs to fix it and hope for the best.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Some of the mountains are amazing. This one is "Einhyrningur" (One Horned).

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Eyjafjallajokull from the North side.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Tindfjallajokull.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Lots of great photo opportunities to slow us down.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Dagur's "Half Patty" and my Sport Trac.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Not much other traffic on these parts.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The hut at Strutur is located just north of Maelifell. Not bad.

It is getting late and the two other 4x4s are already there as well as the snowmobilers.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

These short Patrols are not too common here. Most are the four dour version.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The evening view from the hut.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The morning is cold and clear and the looks are great for us crossing the Myrdalsjokull ice-cap.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The snowmobilers get ready. They are planning for some action before crossing the ice-cap again.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

We leave the hut...

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

...and head south towards the morning sun.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Underneath the innocent looking ice are small but pretty deep creeks.

The Half Patty falls into one and it takes some jacking and towing to get it back up.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Harald from Norway gives us his blessings.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

"Spectacular" is a word that comes to mind.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

As we approach the glacier the day could not get any better.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Soon we are on our way up...

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

...and can look back to where we came from this moring.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Stopping to enjoy the view. Ragnar, Dagur, Brit and Harald.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Dagur looks happy 🙂

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

And in this bright light his Half Patty does look nice.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Getting down we can see the North Atlantic stretching almost uninterrupted to Antarctica on the other side of the globe.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Lower down the snowmobilers keep their trucks and trailers and mount their toys.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

We head down to the coast line.

 

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

Dyrholaey is always interesting to see. The huge hole can be sailed through and has even been flown through in a small airplane.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

The wind is blowing and the sea is showing its most spectacular waves.

Offroading Myrdalsjokull

After enjoying the view of the coastline looking west towards Eyjafjallajokull we head back home.

Its been a great offroading tour.

 

Thrandur Arnthorsson
Thrandur is the chief-editor and owner of 4x4 Off Roads and an 4x4 off road enthusiast. Living in Iceland he loves to share the coolest 4x4 trucks and supporting more offroad freedom. If you want to get YOUR 4x4 featured on 4x4OffRoads you can post your story here.