Hi fellow hiker,

Today’s email provides some information on mountain safety on the Laugavegur. It's impossible to fit everything regarding mountain safety into one email, which is why we've answered a few of the more frequently asked questions below.

Best regards,

Pygmy Elephant

EMERGENCIES

All emergency services in Iceland can be reached by dialing 112. Emergency operators are on duty around the clock, every day of the year. They will route your call to the appropriate authorities based on your emergency.

Safetravel, the official source for safe travel in Iceland, provides an app where you can check location conditions, perform regular check-ins, receive alert information, and send your GPS location to 112 emergency services. The app is available both for Android and for iOS.

You can also register a travel plan with ICE-SAR, the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, which runs Safetravel. This will help them initiate a search and rescue plan if something happens on your trip.

RIVER CROSSINGS

The Laugavegur involves crossing several rivers, which can be one of the more challenging aspects of the trek. These rivers vary in depth and flow, depending on recent weather and glacial melt.

Bratthálskvísl (Brattháls River), located between Álftavatn and Hvanngil
This river is generally shallow but can be cold and swift. The crossing can be slippery due to rocks.
Bláfjallakvísl (Bláfjall River), located after Hvanngil and before Emstrur
This river can be wide and the current strong. It is typically ankle to knee-deep, but it can vary.
Grashagakvísl (Grashagi River), located near the Botnar hut in Emstrur
Usually shallow and straightforward, but still cold and with a noticeable current.
Thröngá (Thröng River), located before descending into Thórsmörk
This is one of the final significant river crossings on the trail. It can be wider and the flow stronger, especially after rain.

Remember the following tips when planning out your river crossings:

Cross early in the day, as water levels rise throughout the day.
Bring water shoes or sandals for to protect your feet.
Use trekking poles to provide additional stability when crossing.
Face upstream and cross diagonally, using a side-stepping motion.
Cross in groups if possible, linking arms or using a rope for support.

If a river looks too dangerous to cross, do not attempt it. Wait for conditions to improve or seek an alternative route if possible.

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

Iceland is one of the most volcanically active places on Earth, and there is a small but real chance that a volcano will be erupting somewhere on Iceland during your Laugavegur trek. For example, in recent years there has been increased activity on Reykjanes Peninsula, the location of Keflavík Airport and the Blue Lagoon, and very close to Reykjavík. Though this activity has been relatively small and controlled, in 2010 the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull forced the evacuation of 800 people and shut down air traffic across Europe. Given that Eyjafjallajökull is just south of Thórsmörk, there is some reason to keep an eye on volcanic activity.

Volcanoes in Iceland do not erupt without warning, and there will be significant seismic activity in a region before an eruption occurs. You can track volcanic and seismic activity on the Icelandic Met Office's news page. You can also see this information in the Met Office's Vedur app or Safetravel's mobile app, mentioned in a previous email. Safetravel also offers notifications and alerts via text message. If you would like more volcano-specific information, check out the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes.

For inquiries regarding your specific itinerary, please contact your group leader or key travel builder. If you have any questions about the content of this email, feel free to reply here.