Iceland (2006) ~ 08. Laugavegur trek Day3

Day 3: Alftavatn to Emstrur (15km)

 Start of the days trek with crossing the river just after our hut (Alftavatn)

Woke up around 09.00am, didn't sleep well because it was terribly cold, even inside the hut! Guess I needed to invest more money on the sleeping bag but the tent-coat-boots had taken most of my budget for gear... breakfast and we got ready to go. A lovely couple, Wilma from Holland and Timo from Germany joined us so now we have a great strong team of six people (David from Switzerland, Gilbert and Florence from France, Wilma & Timo and me).

Happy before we start our 3rd day of the Laugavegur trek (Photo by Wilma & Timo) 

Crossing the first river soon after our hut (Alftavatn). That days itinerary had many river crossings.

 Leaving the river behind us and climbing up towards Hvanngil. The wind started blowing hard on us.

 Arriving in Hvanngil we found another hut which we used for a small snack break.

 

Happy during our snack break while an unexpected visitor is looking at us...

 ...this sweet dog was there at the hut looking at us eating (and probably wanting to get a bite as well).

 Reaching the raging river Kaldaklofskvisl. Fortunately there was...

...a footbridge to cross it as the strong current would make it too dangerous for a normal crossing. 

(2nd photo by Wilma and Timo) ~ After a while we reached Blafjallakvisl river which was wider and at some point knee deep. The water was so freezing cold that my feet went numb while crossing it, had to massage them while wiping them dry after the crossing. 

 The track took us to a black sand desert which would continue for around 5km. Clouds raged in and rain started falling on us.

Going through the black sand desert with the interesting pyramid-shaped peak Storasula on the horizon. 

"Vegetation" in the black sand desert. 

 "Storasula", an interesting pyramid-shaped peak.

 A small stream crossing in the black sand desert.

Photo by Wilma & Timo. 

 We finally reached the Emstrur huts, the first guests for that day. Later on a group of 50 Irish (!) arrived and camped outside.

It took us around 5,5h to cover the 15km to this hut, arriving at 15:30. All the wet clothes went immediately on the heater to dry. Since the weather didn't seem to improve, even though I was carrying my tent all the way I (once again) decided to use the hut instead of camping, for kr2000. Four Germans and a Belgian guy arrived after us, plenty of people and nice atmosphere. Taking a shower would cost you kr300 for 5 min.

With the rain receding, the drizzles created a beautiful rainbow on the horizon.  

Photo by Wilma and Timo

While I was boiling my pasta dinner, a few guys from Irish group came in and asked us if we would like to have some food, apparently they cooked too much and they didn't want to throw it away. We gladly accepted. I thought I will have a bit of extra food that day and continued boiling my pasta but then the Irish guys came back with two HUGE pots with so much food in it! And it was supposed to be their left-overs! Everybody really happy, we ate until we couldn't eat any more... this was a heavenly gift!

While the guys went out to give back the pots I was doing my best to finish my pasta, even though I had already eaten so much of food. So when our guys came back from the Irish with a huge tray of sweet for desert I almost went crazy! Peach compote with chocolate... I thought I was dreaming. Second round for everybody, this time for desert, I ate very slow and then I also finished my pasta. Long live the Irish!! So kind of them to provide us with so much food! When the guys went to deliver the tray back I joined them. The Irish invited us to their tents, there was a lot of alcohol going around and we were offered delicious wine. 50 Irish trekking a multi-day trek in Iceland with lots of food and alcohol, oh yeah! Very friendly lads.

Back to the hut six Icelanders came late, there was no space so two of them would sleep on the floor so with my guys we decided to give away one of our beds and I would share the bed with David. Cooperation between the teams is the most important, the same way the Irish gave us so much food, we were happy to make it easier for them. Went to sleep with the fullest stomach ever, we had covered 40km and tomorrow would be the last 15km to Thorsmork...  

Additional information

GPS coordinates for places in this post, click on them to be redirected to the exact point in google maps. Click on the names to be redirected to their official websites (if applicable).

Alftavatn hut: 63°51'27.3"N 19°13'37.8"W
Hvanngil hut (snack break): 63°49'54.6"N 19°12'17.4"W
Emstrur hut: 63°45'57.6"N 19°22'26.3"W

Markarfljótsgljúfur Canyon (near Emstrur hut, didn't go but must be nice): 63°46'04.9"N 19°23'50.5"W

Click below to read the connected previous post:

Iceland (2006) ~ 07. Laugavegur trek Day2

Paradise Gate Canyoning (2017) - Tzoumerka, Epirus, GREECE

Video feature and pictured one of the many highlights of canyoning in Paradise Gate.  

The previous day we did canyoning in Stavraetos gorge (link to the post at the end of this post), for today the expectations were higher as we were to do canyoning in Paradise Gate (Πύλη Παραδείσου), always in Tzoumerka (Τζουμέρκα), Epirus (Ήπειρος). We met at 09.30am at the carpark of Syrrako village and went on our way by car, the starting point was around 12km far.

View from the car while approaching the starting point.

In this canyoning the starting-ending point are not the same but a 10min. drive apart. So we left a car with the dry stuff at the ending point and continued with the rest to the start.

 The starting point, a small diversion of the signposted route will take us down to the canyon.

Group photo before we start (actually I took a shot before the real group photo as I would have to be there too). 

 Start of the downhill path towards the canyon.

 The path was nice and all green.

 Arriving at the real starting point.

It was time to change into neoprene suit. Even there at the starting point, the place was so beautiful I couldn't believe it, could easily spend my whole day just there chilling... As we were to be spending more time into the water that time we had neoprene jackets as well (were not needed on the 1st days canyon).

 We started heading down passing under a bridge.

 Getting the ropes ready for our first rappel. The whole team was pro or people with experience (myself the most newbie) so the pace was going to be fast!

 Our first rappel!

 After our first rappel and a bit of swimming we kept on going, I was so astonished by the natural beauty...

 If we would turn the rock on the right by 90 degrees it might resemble a heart.

 Endless trees were leaning towards us creating an eerie atmosphere. The light was tricky especially photographing with an action camera with no manual settings so unfortunately the photos don't give justice to the scenery. 

 Through the water surrounded by mossy rocks and under even more mossy trees... 

There we were at the Paradise Gate! Another short stop to fix the ropes and a good chance to get some photos.

 Everybody was really cheerful and happy, the whole team was vibrating positive energy.

 PARADISE GATE! This would be the start of many rappels, crazy waterfalls and outstanding beauty.

 Excitement was building up in the few minutes of waiting.

 The guy hanging on the air would secure you, pass under him and off you went.

It was a piece of cake for the ones with experience but quite challenging for a newbie like me.

Here we were on the top of a waterfall and we had to go down there! Check the people sitting on the rocks down left to get an idea of the height! And then check the next photo to really see where we are now, from the other side...

 ...probably one of the most beautiful spots of this canyoning. Previous photo we are up to the top, rappel down midway and from there you have to option to either rappel again or JUMP! Most of the people jumped the second leg, only the ones with a reason didn't, person here rappeling down the second leg having a semi-dslr camera in his bag thus unable to throw his bag (it goes like this: throw your bag, jump, collect while swimming out). I didn't jump either (although I so much wanted to) because I dislocate my shoulder. 

 Close up of the 2nd rappel (or jump).

 Close up of the 1st rappel.

 Wider views of the area.

 Our team leader and organizer of the canyoning. Definitely among the top canyoning instructors out there, he has explored and discovered many of the canyons in Greece. You could really feel how much he loves canyoning! I totally recommend joining one of his canyoning activities with Hellas Canyon (he is the founder), check it out here: https://www.canyoning.gr/

 Everybody fully energized and smiling after going down that amazing waterfall.

 The amazing scenery continued as we head further.

 Up and down the rocks.

 Needed to be careful as some of the rocks were really slippery.

We kept on going until we reached our next rappel. 

 This could also be a jump for the experienced ones, from a spot a bit more on the side.

Left: swimming out after rappeling

Top: rappeling down 

Right: just jumped from the top!

 Spectacular place for a short beak while fixing the ropes. We were going to go down a twin waterfall of 22m. height!

 Fixing the ropes.

 Bliss.

 Check the size of the people who were already down the canyon!

 Rappeling down the twin 22m. waterfall.

 The canyon got narrower from then on. There was an eerie atmosphere and felt like being in an Indiana Jones movie!

 Needed to go above that wood log for our next rappel.

 Enjoying the scenery.

 A natural rock bridge on top.

 A wide view, its a pity there was no body passing by to include him/her in the photo to get an idea of the scale.

 Further on the scenery was really dreamy...

 Almost all the team having a break after going down the last rappel for the day...
I was so excited that I actually forgot my bag (stupid me!) just before going down the twin waterfall, was feeling really bad because somebody was carrying it for me all the way so I waited in order to get it back thus arriving here one of the last.

 Our last rappel for the day and the place where the canyon meets Hrousia river. Everybody was chilling having a break after our last rappel. From then on it would be walking (and in a few places floating) through the river until we reach the path which took us up to the ending point. 

 He was so kind to carry the bag which I forgot until I realized and got it back.

The way through the river was still very beautiful with interesting rock formations. 

 Amazing tree in the middle, its roots had engulfed the rocks below! On the left there was the path which would take us out of the river.

 One final shot of the river before I head up to the track going out.

It was a nice walk under the trees, just after that stone bridge was the final track going uphill to the ending point where we had left the cars. We decided not to do the 3rd day of canyoning in order to explore the beautiful traditional village. These two days of canyoning were a superb experience, met some great (and very strong!) people, went through some insanely beautiful scenery with the adrenaline full high, got really in touch with nature! On the way back there was just one though going on in my mind... when is the next canyoning?

Additional information

Hellas Canyon website with annual program for canyoning all over Greece and lots of useful information about many canyons (Greek & English): https://www.canyoning.gr/Click below to read the connected previous post:

Stavraetos Canyoning (2017) - Tzoumerka, Epirus, GREECE