The group slept in tents for two nights on the way up to the awesome hut at Grímsfjall, a mountain by the caldera which lies on top of the Grímsvötn volcano, where they staid for two nights. A day trip in the Grímsvötn area in good weather was absolutely great as the landscape and environment is mind-blowing around this very active volcanic area. The ice is so vast that it is possible to see the curvature of the earth! The expedition members of course used the opportunity to relax in the volcano powered steam bath, part of the Grímsfjall hut facilities. The hut at Grímsvötn sits on top of the most powerful geothermal area in Iceland, and therefore has a virtually unlimited heat supply, so you have one of the warmest huts right next to one of the coldest places!
On the fifth day, the second part of the expedition started and the group headed out in the direction of Öræfajökull (a volcano/glacier combo in south Vatnajökull). Two nights in tents on the glacier and the second one just above Hermannaskarð, with snow walls to protect form the nightly winds. On the seventh day, the group went on towards Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland‘s Highest peak (2110 m). After a day of approach with blue skies and sun, clouds gathered around the peak when the actual climb was about to start. In foggy conditions, the group went up the slopes and were able to use skis all the way to the top. When only few meters were left to the summit itself, the clouds went away and the skies opened up for a truly unforgettable moment! In many ways, words fail to describe the magnificence of this place.