Hlidarfjall Ski Tour, Iceland

An early start was had today in order to try and make the best of the weather. As the sun was coming up over the hills, we were up at the Hlidarfjall Ski area getting our skins on. The lifts were still hours away from opening as we set off to towards the cwm to the south (left) of the chair lift (Marked as Hlioarskal on our map).



It had been worth the early start as the mountains were quiet and peaceful and we were blessed with more fine weather.

The higher we ascended, the more the views unfolded ahead of us.

 

Once into the cwm, Clare put in a track (via a few zig zags) to the Col (the lowest point) on the horizon.

 

Behind and below us, the day was waking - we could even see the flat in town!

 

As we neared the headwall, the temperatures really dropped as the wind picked up.

 

Once onto the summit plateau, the hostile weather (and miles of flat) deterred any thoughts of going for the distant peak.

 

Instead, I put on double insulated jackets (thanks Rab!) as I removed my skins ready for the ski back down.

It was no place to be hanging around or even leaving any skin exposed! A quick photo and we were off...

 

...onto more beautiful wide open powder fields.

 

Turn after turn of thigh burning long wide turns were enjoyed thought the boot deep powder snow.

 

 

 

The cold weather soon robbed my camera of it's battery as I tried to take some pic of the descent.

In the end, the weather clouded over, but never got quite as bad as forecast. After returning for some food at the flat, we all went into town and spent the remainder of the afternoon in the thermal baths. It really is quite peculiar to be at an outside pool with snow around the town still.

The best bit was the 43 degree 'hot pot'. After a soak (I could only last about ten minutes before almost passing out), you had to climb into a tub of ice cold water. Apparently, it's very good for you. It was a bit of a shock getting in, but we could stay in for ten to twenty seconds once immersed. The weird bit was then walking back into the hot pot - your whole body tingles like mad! We lasted as long as we could before heading home in a total daze. It really knocked me out and I was good for nothing as I dozed into the evening... At least my muscles won't ache now though?.... Right?....