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Indoor Meet Thursday 15 September
Ski Traverse of Iceland Arthur Whittaker
The first indoor meet of the season, and a large group of Glenmorons
arrived to listen to Arthur telling us about his ski traverse of the
Iceland plateau (about 180km), from the Eyafjarda valley in the north to
Jokulsarlon in the south. Arthur, with friends Donald, Richard and
Denise, has enjoyed several holidays ski-touring in Norway, and it was
here that the plan to cross Iceland originated. Spring is the only
feasible time to go, but apparently it is still quite possible for the
lack of snow or the weather to ruin the best-laid plans. Few people
manage a successful crossing, and in many cases it is the weather that
has defeated them.
There were not enough huts en route, so camping gear and food for 12
days was necessary. Some of this gear was carried in rucksacs, the rest
being pulled on special sleds called pulks. We were shown samples of
Richard's detailed organisational documents, including one for the
search and rescue organisation which gave colours of tents, pulks and
clothing, so that they could be easily recognised in case of
difficulties.
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They were able to get a lift to the snowline,
and overnight accommodation, from the local rescue staff. My
vision of them skiing over pure white firm snow was initially
quite wrong : some of it was very watery, and there were rivers
to cross. Fortuitously they were told of several extra huts
where they could stay the night, so at the start little camping
was done. This was rectified later, and we were shown shots of
tents covered in fresh snow, and positioned next to a crevasse.
At Grimsfjall hut, in the middle of the icecap, the water was
thermally heated.
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| A series of photos did also show us the vast
white expanse, with some clear skies and sunsets. |
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The descent was made awkward by low cloud and the choice of a route
slightly too steep for successful pulk-pulling. Finally there was a
fairly short carry to the road, and this marked the successful
completion of the traverse.
Arthur had brought along a pulk and harness, and the skis, to show
us. Altogether a fascinating talk about a remarkable achievement.
Monica
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