ITINERARY

Meeting with your Guide

You will meet your guide for your Ice Climbing Captured tour at the Glacier Lagoon parking lot in Vatnajokull National  Park. The official address for this location is: í Hornafirði, Jökulsárlón, Glacier Lagoon, 781 Höfn or you can simply type in ‘Ice Pic Journeys’ in Google Maps and we will come up. It is important to be aware that this is a 5-hour drive from Reykjavik so it is always recommended to stay at an accommodation closer to this meeting point.

It is best to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour so you can use the restrooms since there will be none at the glacier. Your guide will be right across from the restrooms in the bus parking lot. You can look for the ‘Ice Pic Journeys’ logo on our 4×4 vehicle amongst the other companies. Departure will be precisely at the scheduled time so it is important to arrive on time or you may miss the tour.

Drive in 4×4 to Vatnajokull Glacier

From the Glacier Lagoon parking lot, you will hop aboard one of our 4×4 vehicles and head towards the glacier for your Ice Climbing Captured Tour. About 10 minutes into your journey, you will turn off onto an F-Road and make the bumpy journey toward the glacier. From the road to the glacier parking lot, this will take roughly 20-30 minutes to reach. As you drive, your guide will teach you the history of the surrounding area as you enjoy a scenic ride through an ancient glacier plain.

Hike to the Ice Cave

Once you arrive at the glacier parking lot, your guide will begin handing out your gear for the tour. This includes crampons, an ice axe, a harness, a helmet with a headlamp, and hiking boots if you rented them. Once everyone has their gear, you will take a 30-minute hike to the edge of the glacier. The hike is relatively easy for most and will have you walking on flat, yet slightly rocky ground the entire way. We will always go at the pace of our guests so you can take your time and enjoy the walk as your guide leads the way.

Gearing Up

Upon arriving at the edge of the glacier, your guide will help you put on your crampons. After your guide instructs you on how to put them on, your guide will go over a safety briefing about walking on the glacier. It’s important to understand and follow these rules and to ask any questions that you may have before stepping foot on the ice.

Glacier Hike to the Ice Climbing Area

Next, you will put your crampons into the ice and make your way onto Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. Hiking on the ice is definitely a unique feeling and may take some getting used to but by the end of the tour, you won’t want to take your crampons off! As you hear the crunch below you, you will march forward and follow your guide up the glacier towards the direction of the climbing walls. Throughout this hike, your guide will show you different formations on the glacier known as moulins and crevasses. All while admiring the barren landscape around you, you will feel like you are in a different world.

Intro to Ice Climbing

If you are brand new to ice climbing, your guide will start by giving a brief introduction to the activity. This includes how to climb with proper form and understanding how to use the equipment properly. If this is the guest’s first experience, we always start with an easier slope and work our way up. Once you understand all of the techniques and feel ready to give it a try, your guide will set up a line and you will begin to take turns scaling the wall.

More Challenging Climbs

Once you have finished the easier pitches or if you have prior experience in ice climbing to skip that part, your guide will lead you to the more challenging walls. These can range from higher walls, massive glacial holes, or overhanging arches depending on what you are comfortable with. Your guide will always lead you to what they think you can climb after accessing your skills on the beginner walls. If you are ever feeling unable to finish a climb, your guide can easily raise you out of the hole or lower you down from a wall safely so there is never any need to worry. Challenge yourself, do your best, and let the guide take the coolest photos of you in action!

Return to the Glacier Lagoon

You will finish the tour with a hike back to the glacier parking lot and a 30-minute drive back to the Glacier Lagoon where you will say goodbye to your guide and have memories of an amazing day inside of Vatnajokull National Park.

What to bring: Outdoor Clothing, Gloves, Hat, Rain Pants/Jacket, Camera, and Hiking Boots if you have them. Also, please send us your shoe size just in case we need to provide you boots for climbing. Lastly, make sure to bring a bright colored jacket as thats best for photos.