https://www.diyphotography.net/tragic-death-at-iceland-plane-wreck-instagram-hotspot/
It's very sad, but having been in Iceland in winter I'm not entirely surprised. That country can bite.
And in my limited experience, the Chinese visitors were often incredibly poorly prepared.
Sad indeed.
I was in Iceland for 3 weeks in Sept and whilst most of the UK was, apparently, basking in the warmth of an Indian summer we were subjected to an assortment of conditions, some of which really were dangerous. The circumstances here are, as said, still being investigated, but the key lesson to take away is that Icelandic weather is often unforgiving and needs to be treated with respect.
I too was in Iceland at the end of August, and the weather was variable. Fortunately when we visited that wreck the weather was having one of it's kinder moments because the walk to get to it is a lot longer than I think a lot of people are expecting. I certainly wouldn't want to make the trek if the weather was anything but benign.
I'd love to visit Iceland. More than anywhere on the planet I think. It's quite sad how the Chinese people that died, were only briefly mentioned.
Having done a little bit of Mountain Leadership Training, which was done on Dartmoor, I can imagine how terrible the weather can be in Iceland.
Dartmoor, in the soft, balmy S.W. of England is bad enough. I have had a group of kids, all moaning about having to carry their survival kit in, "This warm weather," and 20 minutes later, abandoned the walk due to the horizontal sleet and snow that is beating into our faces. They were all very glad to have their warm clothes with them.
I am sure that can happen in Iceland to a much higher extent.
A few years ago I was in Iceland in March with my parents. Obviously condition s were pretty icy, as there had been some blizzards while we were there. We had 4WD, but one day we were driving back from Gulfoss and there were some orientals at the side Do the the road with a small saloon in the ditch. I don't know if they hit ice with poor traction or if they weren't concentrating, but they were lucky either way. They also weren't dressed for the conditions. Locals were in the midst of dragging the car out when we passed. Iceland is a wild place that needs care an respect, otherwise it bites back as already said.
My second favourite country after Scotland, it's natural raw beauty is unrivaled whatever the weather or season. Over the years I've spent considerable time all around the island for work and pleasure on foot, prepared 4 wheel drive, skimobile and kayak and I think the shear side, the time to travel anywhere and the way it can be dry, calm 8c to howling wind, driving rain or blinding snow and subzero temperatures just a few miles apart. Many tourists still seem to underdress - cheap, thin jackets, jeans and trainers. Respect it and it will reward you with wondrous vistas, waterfalls, springs, mountains, volcanoes and glaciers, underestimate it at your peril.
Richard Winn said
A few years ago I was in Iceland in March with my parents. Obviously condition s were pretty icy, as there had been some blizzards while we were there. We had 4WD, but one day we were driving back from Gulfoss and there were some orientals at the side Do the the road with a small saloon in the ditch. I don't know if they hit ice with poor traction or if they weren't concentrating, but they were lucky either way. They also weren't dressed for the conditions. Locals were in the midst of dragging the car out when we passed. Iceland is a wild place that needs care an respect, otherwise it bites back as already said.
Its crazy! When I was in Iceland we picked up two ladies at Jökulsárlón the glacier lagoon. We were the last car there and saw the two of them standing in the car park and offered them a lift but I don't know what they would have done if we weren't there! They had been dropped off by some people staying at the hostel they were at and didn't plan how to get back! Amazing how many stories like this we all have. Scary!
Donald Sutherland said
My second favourite country after Scotland, it's natural raw beauty is unrivaled whatever the weather or season. Over the years I've spent considerable time all around the island for work and pleasure on foot, prepared 4 wheel drive, skimobile and kayak and I think the shear side, the time to travel anywhere and the way it can be dry, calm 8c to howling wind, driving rain or blinding snow and subzero temperatures just a few miles apart. Many tourists still seem to underdress - cheap, thin jackets, jeans and trainers. Respect it and it will reward you with wondrous vistas, waterfalls, springs, mountains, volcanoes and glaciers, underestimate it at your peril.
I totally get what you mean. I've just come back from Scotland. Both places really feel like the wilderness.
Again in Scotland there was a group of us taking photos on the mountains at Aviemore (not far from the car park though). We had coats, gloves, hats etc as it was windy and snowy and tourists would get out the car in just converses, jeans etc to come and see what we were doing.
Jade Lyon said
Richard Winn said
A few years ago I was in Iceland in March with my parents. Obviously condition s were pretty icy, as there had been some blizzards while we were there. We had 4WD, but one day we were driving back from Gulfoss and there were some orientals at the side Do the the road with a small saloon in the ditch. I don't know if they hit ice with poor traction or if they weren't concentrating, but they were lucky either way. They also weren't dressed for the conditions. Locals were in the midst of dragging the car out when we passed. Iceland is a wild place that needs care an respect, otherwise it bites back as already said.
Its crazy! When I was in Iceland we picked up two ladies at Jökulsárlón the glacier lagoon. We were the last car there and saw the two of them standing in the car park and offered them a lift but I don't know what they would have done if we weren't there! They had been dropped off by some people staying at the hostel they were at and didn't plan how to get back! Amazing how many stories like this we all have. Scary!Donald Sutherland said
My second favourite country after Scotland, it's natural raw beauty is unrivaled whatever the weather or season. Over the years I've spent considerable time all around the island for work and pleasure on foot, prepared 4 wheel drive, skimobile and kayak and I think the shear side, the time to travel anywhere and the way it can be dry, calm 8c to howling wind, driving rain or blinding snow and subzero temperatures just a few miles apart. Many tourists still seem to underdress - cheap, thin jackets, jeans and trainers. Respect it and it will reward you with wondrous vistas, waterfalls, springs, mountains, volcanoes and glaciers, underestimate it at your peril.
I totally get what you mean. I've just come back from Scotland. Both places really feel like the wilderness.
Again in Scotland there was a group of us taking photos on the mountains at Aviemore (not far from the car park though). We had coats, gloves, hats etc as it was windy and snowy and tourists would get out the car in just converses, jeans etc to come and see what we were doing.
Scotland was my first love, before travelling in Norway and Iceland. I still have a special place for Norway after living there almost 20 years ago. I have travelled around the far north since, chasing the Aurora with a company called Aurorahunters (there is now a different company using the same name in Iceland) and guided for them in Iceland and helped out in Norway. One night, we were out not too far from Alta and were parked up in a large layby, as the Aurora was just visible behind the clouds, despite snowing at the same time. Not long after, s group of Japanese tourists turned up and set themselves up. We were next to a busy road, with large timber lorries going past at around 60 km/h, yet they set up in the road. The owner of Aurorahunters had to grab their leader out of the road to tell him it wasn't safe. After a while, they moved quarter of a ile down the road and parked in the road, too far away for us to intervene. Again, they were lucky no lorries came along while they were there. Not long after, we retreated, as the weather was deteriorating and it was getting to the point where it wasn't sae to drive a minibus. After dropping off the clients, we ran into a serious blizzard while driving back to our house, which was pretty hairy and a very long drive at about 20 km/h. Some of the clients complained about not seeing the Aurora properly, even when we told them it wasn't safe to drive to search for the Aurora. By that point, there wasn't a hope in hell's chance of seeing anything :P. One thing you can say about orientals, if they have the right guidance to keep them safe, they are very greatful for what they get, unlike British clients.
Haven't done Norway (yet) but am quite regularly in Finland and have taken the opportunity to travel into the Arctic Circle, including a couple of nights in the Snow Hotel. The Aurora is often visible at home but to have seen it over such vast areas as Northern Finland and the Icelandic Interior was mind blowing.
Jade Lyon when Keira and I are working in bad weather or high in the mountains I tend not to wear a jacket or hat so I can feel the wind chill and make sure we stop before she's affected. We plan well, move into position, shoot hard and fast, then dressed and warmed. Aviemore can be basking in sunshine but 7 miles away the Lairig Ghru can be nearly impassable due to snow, the joys of a Highland summer.
Donald Sutherland said
Haven't done Norway (yet) but am quite regularly in Finland and have taken the opportunity to travel into the Arctic Circle, including a couple of nights in the Snow Hotel. The Aurora is often visible at home but to have seen it over such vast areas as Northern Finland and the Icelandic Interior was mind blowing.
Jade Lyon when Keira and I are working in bad weather or high in the mountains I tend not to wear a jacket or hat so I can feel the wind chill and make sure we stop before she's affected. We plan well, move into position, shoot hard and fast, then dressed and warmed. Aviemore can be basking in sunshine but 7 miles away the Lairig Ghru can be nearly impassable due to snow, the joys of a Highland summer.
I tend to work in the same way in Iceland (I haven't shot models in Norway). Frequently models end up wearing my clothes in Iceland too :P. I've been lucky enough to see the Aurora in all of the Scandinavian countries, as well as Scotland and possibly even England (I wasn't sure if I was imagining it). I haven't been to the interior or north of Iceland, but would like to.
