24.08.08 – Hrafntinnusker – Álftavatn [day 2]
By Garik and Lena

• The clock rang at 0700AM and woke up some of  the snoring people in the hut. Some kept sleeping, some started to pack their stuff, and some went to the kitchen to make breakfast. So did we! We packed our stuff quite quickly and ate a small breakfast. We cleaned a bit the table where we ate, we planned to clean the floor too, but the warden told us that he will do it. Sorry… our dirty bags made such a mess… During the night we woke up for a moment because we heard noise coming from the entrance. At the morning we realized that those were two French girls, they got lost on their way and arrived at the small hours of a night… Wow… 
• We decided to go and see the ice cave near the hut, so we asked the warden how long it is to the cave and back, and he answered us – about 45 minutes each way. He also asked not to go inside, because it’s dangerous there. So we went out to see the cave with nothing but our clothes on us!!! Even without water and cell phones, not that we could use them, but still… We walked for a while, till we had to pass melting ice! Not again! :) I’m had a déjà vu! We walked slowly and carefully, while been passed by two German fellows… without walking poles! When we reached the cave, we took some pictures and headed back. I must admit that all the way to the cave, the weather was excellent! Bit chilly but without precipitation. When we approached the hut on our way back, rain started! In the hut we discovered a weather forecast for today: “50% Right”…

• The warden told us that it’s a “nice weather” but I think he actually meant “nice sweater”, cause the weather only got worse! At some point on our way to the second hut, we put on waterproof pants and covers on our backpacks. At first it was only wind with slight rain, I thought that when we’ll start descend the weather will improve – I was wrong!

• All the way we couldn’t get reception on our cell phones. Most of the way was supposed to be going down in altitude. The main descend was only at the end of the day so most of the time, every time we went down, we had to climb it all up! Some times we walked on snow, sometimes on clay (it was geothermal area). The rain made the footpath wet and the wind was wild! At some time of the day we were on some wide and high point, the ascending was so hard that we barely could stand on our feet against the wind. And why is it always adverse wind?

• When we got used to the weather, we started the main descending. We saw the hut somewhere far away… the region was totally green around the Álftavatn lake. We knew that we have to pass a river today, somewhere close to the hut. We did tried to figure out a way, how to pass the river without crossing it straight, in the water, but there was no way to stay dry! So we started to prepare for our first serious river crossing, the rain didn’t stop and it only make it more difficult… I passed first, only 10 second or so in the freezing water… My legs were cold, frozen, in pain… Lena is right after me! I did try to take a picture of her crossing the river but she started right after me, so I had no time to take a picture of her. She was all in panic; I imagine her legs were frozen twice as mine! Can’t say that the feeling of the frozen fingers is pleasant after the crossing… even when all dressed up back. During the cross and preparation time, all our clothes got wet. We hoped to reach the hut as soon as possible after the river, to warm up a little. We are dreaming of a pleasant hot water shower… After 15 minutes or so we see a sign “Hut – 2.3Km”!!! What?!

• When we reached the hut, it was all filled up with travelers. We got a bit bigger bunk bed (top floor) than yesterday in a corner of the hut. It was sort of difficult to climb to and get off the bed, but we were satisfied! It was a hut for 32 people, but it seemed like there are more people than beds. The French chicks were first to arrive today, I know that because each one took herself a bed near the stove. They had the luxury to dry their clothes… When more people arrived, the warden asked the chicks to make room…

• Lena decided to stay in the bed till next morning, so I made dinner; hot soup and couscous with sausages. Also I made bread with butter, cheese and salami. Some dude in the hut was amazed of the way I served Lena. After that, as usual, hot water with chocolate! All that left is to reach the toilets, and it’s not an easy mission, and go to sleep! Goda Nott!

The ice cave

Impressive!

Going up and down... See the ice?

I can see the lake!

View of the hut...