Iceland: Part IV

When the warden suggested we keep going or go back the way we came, I didn't know what to say. Angel Baby was quite tired. The elevation was affecting him, making him very tired and dare I say, even a bit grumpy? He was more than ready to call it a day. I asked the warden why he'd suggested we keep going as there were quite a few people setting up tents and settling in for the night. The warden raised his Ipad from the desk and turned it around for me to see. He pointed at a large purple blob.

"See this? It's a storm system off the northern coast that'll be moving through early in the morning and most of the day tomorrow. Cold, rain, and wind. High winds. You don't want to be here for that," he said.

I nodded. He was right. I really didn't want to have to pack up a wet tent then have to hike all day in rain and wind. I wasn't sure Angel Baby had it in him to go on, though.

I returned to the site Angel Baby had picked out for our tent and relayed the warden's advice to him. His shoulders sagged. He really didn't want to have to hike another fifteen kilometers. 

"How much more climbing is there?" he asked. I told him to stay put and returned to the warden's hut to find out. When I asked the warden, he turned and pointed to a tall pole with a light on it at the top of the hill leading out of camp.

"See that light?"

I nodded.

"That's the highest point of the hike. From that point on it's all downhill." 

I made my way back to Angel Baby and told him we were almost to the highest point of our adventure. When I pointed to the light at the top of the hill, he smiled and said, "Okay. Let's go." 

We took an hour to eat a couple of tortillas spread with peanut butter, some cheese, and the last of the carrots. Once our bladders were filled with fresh water, we set off.  

Not far past the light pole, we found ourselves traipsing across snow. I fell back so I could enjoy watching Angel Baby walk across the snowpack.

One of my favorite photos from the trip.

While I was tired and ready to stop for the day, this part of the hike turned out to be my favorite. The constant change in landscape made me stop a lot just to admire, take it all in. 

We left the snowpack behind.

Steam vents in the distance.

Heading downhill. 

Bubbling stream.

The black in the distance is a lava field. It was like a maze.
We walked through the maze to reach the campground.

We reached the campground around 9 pm. When I paid for our tent space, I grabbed a soda and a candy bar, both well-earned after a day of hiking 30 kilometers.

Next up: the conclusion to our Iceland adventure.