The Landrover and tent at our campsite at the Geithellnaa

Back on the Geithellnaá

Four weeks into our kayaking expedition to Iceland and all is well. Rather misty this morning and we are planning to paddle the lower gorge section of the Geithellnaá.

After packing up, we rather rashly decide we need to inspect the oil levels in the main and transfer gear boxes. The are low, so we top them up. This process takes well over an hour and we have to construct an oil filler from an old cardboard box. Landrover maintenance on the go is always more difficult than you think before you start, but at least it is not raining.

Rob just before it all went wrong on the big drop on the Geithellnaá

At last we are ready to paddle. Tom does not paddle today, but drives for us and stands on the bank waving the camera. After a bit of inspection, Andy and I drag our boats to the put-in and start down the river. The first real obstacle is the large drop at the top of the canyon that we saw in 1989, but did not paddle. The water level today is much lower, and we are happy to give it a go. I go first and make something of a hash of it by capsizing near the bottom of the drop and getting smeared over a reef upside-down. Apart from losing some skin on my fingers, I am unhurt. Andy makes a much better job of it all. The rest of the river proves to be good fun, and there are no more mishaps.

Full moon from our campsite above Seyðisfjörður

We have great fun lobbing rocks of the bridge at the end into the river before we continue northwards. Now camped in a great spot waiting for Andy to serve up what smells a bit like a bean chilli. Hmmmm.