The Laugavegur Trail passes by two ice-covered volcanoes. This one has some pretty high winds on it. The multi-layered clouds are pretty wild.
Lava Everywhere
Yep, that’s a lava plain. The Laugavegur runs straight through it for about five miles. You can just see an ice cap far ahead and slightly to the right.
Iceland Fog
The problem with the Laugavegur Trail is the highlands section, where this band of fog sits most of the time. Even with marker wands, I still needed a GPS to find a way through.
Laugavegur Side View
This is one of the most iconic spots in Iceland, and lies about a two hour hike in on the Laugavegur Trail. The color of the moss on the mineral deposits is just fabulous.
Moss Everywhere
Right away, the Laugavegur Trail wanders through masses of moss, some of brilliant green. This moss overlays multi-colored mineral deposits, making for quite the panorama.
Landmannalaugar Camp
The Laugavegur Trail starts at the Landmannalaugar Camp, which is accessed via a four-hour bus ride north and east from Reyjavik. Many tour groups come in on these four-wheel-drive buses and begin by staying overnight. Other parties backpack in about eight miles to the first hut, and either rent a bed there or camp outside.
The Laugavegur!
I've just returned from hiking the Laugavegur Trail in the uplands area of Iceland, which is commonly ranked in the top 25 best hikes in the world. More photos coming. 34 miles, 6700 vertical feet, 25 hours total (including camping).
Rain Everywhere
Storm clouds approaching on the Slea Head area in Ireland. And yes, we got rained on about ten times that day.
Rocks Everywhere
This is a pretty common site in Ireland; stone walls everywhere. And there are tons more rocks lying around.
A Tad Windy
So, from what direction is the wind blowing? Tree on the Irish coast.
The Benefit of Irish Rain
We spotted this beauty in a Victorian walled garden at Kylemore Abbey, Ireland.
What Would Superman Say?
The Irish have repurposed their phone booths. Yes, that is a defibrillator!
A Religious Climb
We climbed Croagh Patrick, which is the holy mountain of Ireland. True Catholics (not us) climb it in their bare feet. This person appears to have not read the memo.
P.S. It was REALLY cold that day.
Afternoon in western Ireland
This is the afternoon light striking a bridge over the Carrowbeg River, in western Ireland. Don’t mind my finger over the edge of the frame.
Rain Showers Everywhere
Yep, that is rain gear from head to toe. We're hiking along the coast of Ardmalin, at the northern tip of Ireland.
The Giant's Causeway
This is the Giant's Causeway, on the NW coast of Ireland. I've seen similar hexagonal blocks in Iceland and Tasmania.
Liquid Sunshine
This is the coastline of the Bushmills area, in northern Ireland. We were getting rained on about every 45 minutes - this was a rare moment of sunshine.
Rosetta Stone, Sort of
This is a directions sign at Trinity College. Gaelic goes first, then English. In Ireland, it’s best to focus on the second row.
Death Star?
This looks like the Death Star Jr., but is actually just a street sculpture in Dublin.
Good Old Molly Malone
Just back from Ireland. This is a statue of Molly Malone, representing Dublin street workers. If you notice a somewhat lighter colored part of the statue, that is where tourists place their hands for pictures.
