Hvannadalshnukur 6953' - Iceland's High Point                                                                          May 10, 2023

Given Ulyana had some work in Iceland in May 2023, it was an excellent opportunity to attempt Iceland's highpoint, Hvannadalshnukur. Ulyana tried this for the first time back in 2008, but didn't make the summit due to large crevasses opening up, making it too dangerous to cross.

This highpoint forms part of the crater of Oraefajokull, a volcano that erupted violently in 1362 and again in 1727. The gain is significant as the trail starts just a few hundred feet above sea level, and climbs to nearly 7,000 feet. Our route was 15 miles round-trip, with a little less than half of that on glaciated and crevassed terrain. The fact that the volcano was covered in glacier required us to bring ice axes, crampons, a 40-meter rope, harnesses, and gear for crevasse rescue, in case one of us fell in. 

The weather on the ascent was wonderful, but we paid our dues on the return, when we went through multiple rinse-dry cycles! 

Country highpoint for Ulyana (5th) and Ricardo (7th).

Zoom in/out for additional map details

SUMMITS: Hvannadalshnukur Climb Photos

SCIENCE: "New Land"

Shot on location in southwestern Iceland, October 31, 2021, this Science Wednesday explores different lava types seen at Iceland's newest eruption site.

Shot on location on the Vatnajokull icecap (Iceland) in November 2021, this Science Wednesday explores the changes that Europe's largest glacier mass has seen over the decades.