Vatnajökull
Getting Back
February 24th - 26th 2006
Morning at Grimsfjoll.
Since we are going lower it is best to pump up the tires. Pressure decreases with lower altitude. Dagur uses his pump also for pumping fuel out of his spare tanks.
This place is free of snow because the geothermal heat is constantly melting it off. There have been several volcanic eruptions close by.
Trucks line up before heading on back home.
(Photo by Sigurjon)
On the middle of the ice-cap we meet these skiers. They are Spanish and are heading for Grimsfjoll and then Oraefajokull. They use the same GPS route as we do.
As I took this nice shot of Skuli I hit a sharp rock with my rear tire. A few moments later I have a flat!
I have the tire repair kit in place but have never used it before.
First you must take off the shielding paper of the gluey strand and then thread it in a big needle.
The needle is then inserted into the hole in the tire and pulled back out to leave the strand in place.
Einar's Cherokee had been putting out black smoke signals and today the engine has been mixing diesel with the motor oil. Finally it says STOP! Birgir hooks him up for the ride back.
Dagur crossing the last river. Close to Veidivotn.
In a short while we are at Hrauneyjar petrol station where we can fuel up and pump some more air into the tires.
Shortly after I begin to have serious problems with the damaged tire. Air keeps getting out of it and even though I continue adding more strands the hole becomes bigger and bigger and the strands keeps falling out. The rest of the group is long since gone their way, but Bessi turns around to help me. He has a spare tire that can be used in situations like this. Bessi had found out about a mechanic close by Arnes that might be able to help with the tire. We manage to drive closer but finally decide to seek help from the mechanic, Einar from Heidarbrun. Even at this late hour and a on Sunday he is willing to help. He can't get the tire of the 15 inch wide rim but can instead lend me another rim to fit the spare tire on and even a more convenient jack to change the tires.
This has been a memorable adventure. A successful trip for the most part with lots of lessons learned.
Thanks to all that helped out and made this a trip to remember!
