Sunrise on Langjökull
After witnessing an astonishing sunset the day before, I decided to make it on Langjökull for the sunrise the following day. So we left Reykjavik by 8am and headed North. Turned right on road 50 just before Borganes, right again on the 519 direction Reykholt, another right turn on 519 direction Húsafell, again right on the F550 and finally a left on the 551 to arrive at the bottom of the glacier.
There is a shorter way, in term of distance, that would save maybe 40/50km but it includes an additional 20/40km of F road. So saving on kilometers but probably using more time and gaz. The only reason why I will probably try this road some day anyway is for the sight, driving between the Ok and Þórisjökull glaciers.
Before leaving the car at the end of the track we tried to drive up the glacier, as many had done before us the previous day. During the night though, the wind had blown a fair amount of snow at the bottom of the glacier where the track ends, a little too much for us to get through with the car, so after getting stuck we parked the car on the side of the track. If it wasn't for those few meters of soft snow I believe we could have gone a long way on the hard packed snow and ice.
With the cold the already tired battery died very quickly at the top when it was so beautiful and clear... Lesson learnt.
As we arrived at the bottom of the glacier the sun was just starting coloring the sky
No fog here, only snow being blowned by a very strong wind
We left the car at the end of the trail and braved the wind (and played with it)
Leaning against the wind, enjoying the view
And after playing with the wind for a while...
... we started walking up to the glacier.
Time to rest
Sometimes the wind had no snow to blow and would let us see the mountains around
Looks so peaceful, yet so very windy
Trying to take a few photos with frozen fingers
And finally we were high enough to feel a little warmth from the sun
But the wind was about to bring thick clouds our way...
...so we readied to walk down before getting lost in the blizzard.
