Iceland's Northwest Fiords

Description

Paddling Hornstrandir: Iceland's Northwest Fiords
Skill Level: BCU 4 star, or ACA level 4
Dates: August 2-11, $3495per/person from Reykjavik

This is the westernmost tip of Europe! Located near the arctic circle on the Greenland Sea, Hornstrandir Nature Preserve is one of the wildest places left on Iceland. This is the most rugged part of Iceland, well beyond the reaches of the ring road and nested below the Drangajkull icecap; it is home to arctic fox and huge cliff faces dotted with fulmars, guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and razerbills. If we are very lucky, we may even see one of the few remaining pairs of White Tailed Sea Eagles on the planet. The sea is by far the best place to view these cliffs along with a variety of seal and whale species. Our days will be spent paddling by a variety of smaller fiords, abandoned whaling colonies and huge fields of summer wildflowers...all in the wake of Erik the Red. Did I mention this area is the birthplace of Leif Erickson? It just has explorer written all over it.

Guides: Once again we have found a terrific local guide to work with to show us his backyard. Steini grew up in the NW fiords, worked for many years as a commercial fisherman and has been guiding kayak tours for 6 years. He's a 5 star paddler and has attracted the likes of Hadas Feldman as staff. Michael Gray will be assisting and bringing his 25 years of guiding experience to bear and spraining his tongue over place names, trying to recall his forgotten Danish pronunciations.

Equipment: Once again, we're building a premium trip using only the good stuff. We will have Lendal paddles, NDK Explorers, European tents and 4 star level gear.

Pace: We travel between 20-30 kilometers each day with time enough for hiking and exploration. Its important to stay flexible in our itinerary to take best advantage of the conditions that we encounter.

Weather/conditions: Similar conditions to southcentral Alaska can be expected. Daytime highs may get to be low 60's with evening lows into the low 40's. Wind and rain are common as we are near where the Greenland sea meets the gulfstream and creates "interesting" weather. Remember...summer near the arctic circle means lots and lots of daylight (19 hours+).

Qualifications: Like our Alaska programs, this program is built for those with a higher skill level that is appropriate for the kind of conditions we are likely to encounter. If you haven't been through the BCU or ACA ranks to gain these skills, we will accept a paddling resume and word from those who can vouch for you. Our trips owe a great deal of their success to this participant screening process.

Dates & Cost: August 2-11, 2008, $3495per/person from Reykjavik
What's included: Internal flights, all group gear on the trip, premium expedition fiberglass kayaks, guides, most meals before and after backcountry trip, guesthouse lodging where applicable and the kind of back-country meals you'd expect from one of our trips...all with an Icelandic accent.

Itinerary:

Day 1: August 2 : Arrival day in Reykjavik. Orientation meal and overnight in guesthouse
Day 2: Fly to Isafjordur and take the ferry across to put in at Aoalivik. Acclimatizing day getting ready at location with an exploratory hike
Day 3: paddle to Rekavík 22km
Day 4: paddle to Hlöðuvík 26km
Day 5: paddle to Hornvík 16km
Day 6: paddle to Barðsvík 27 km
Day 7: Hike ( can be any of the days really )
Day 8: Paddle to Reykjafjörður where we will be picked up and sail
back to Ísafjordur 25km overnight at a guesthouse in Ísafjördur
Day 9: Fly back to Reykjavík, night out to celebrate, overnight at guesthouse in Reykjavik
Day 10: flights home or extension on your own

Reservations are held with a deposit of $300 and a completed registration form available below; 50% of the balance of your total trip fee is due 60 days before departure. The final 50% is due 45 days prior to departure. Deposit fully refundable up to 60 days before departure. We are happy to take deposits by credit card over the phone.

Uncommon Adventures,
PO Box 254, Beulah, MI 49617.

Phone us toll-free 1-866-882-5525 for Credit Card payments. You will receive trip equipment list and client survey form upon registration.

Uncommon Adventures PO Box 254 Beulah, Michigan 49617 Map It Toll Free: 1-866-882-5525       Local: (231) 882-5525 e-mail: info@uncommonadv.com