Two travelers who were rescued early morning on Fimmvörðuháls trail had failed to check the weather forecast before embarking on the hike. The couple requested emergency assistance in extremely diffuclt conditions: Strong wind, rain and sleet and thick fog. The couple were both wet and cold when they were rescued.
Read more: Travelers rescued from Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail: Too tired and cold to finish hike
According to Magnús Þór Einarsson, a member of ICE-SAR who participated in the rescue the couple, who have been identified as German nationals, had managed to pitch their tent but had chosen a spot where a large puddle had formed, causing the tent to flood. The people were cold, and their equipment soaked wet.
Magnús told the National Broadcasting Service that the people were unaware that there was a severe weather warning in effect.
They said they had not seen any weather warnings, so they were either not paying any attention or a weather alert had not yet been issued when they last checked. In any case they said they were unaware of any weather warnings. It seems they consulted someone before heading off, but they didn't hear any of the warnings of how bad the weather was going to get.
Some 40 members of ICE-SAR and one of the Coast Guard helicopters participated in the rescue.
We at Iceland Insider would like to remind people that:
1) You should ALWAYS check the weather forecast before heading out. Remember that the weather can change very rapidly in Iceland.
2) Conditions at higher altitudes, on heaths, in the Central Highlands, or up in the mountains and on mountain roads can be very different from conditions closer to the coast.
3) Hiking in the Central Highlands or on the popular trails Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegurinn is NOT recommended for beginners. Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur require proper hiking equipment and experience.
Two travelers who were rescued early morning on Fimmvörðuháls trail had failed to check the weather forecast before embarking on the hike. The couple requested emergency assistance in extremely diffuclt conditions: Strong wind, rain and sleet and thick fog. The couple were both wet and cold when they were rescued.
Read more: Travelers rescued from Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail: Too tired and cold to finish hike
According to Magnús Þór Einarsson, a member of ICE-SAR who participated in the rescue the couple, who have been identified as German nationals, had managed to pitch their tent but had chosen a spot where a large puddle had formed, causing the tent to flood. The people were cold, and their equipment soaked wet.
Magnús told the National Broadcasting Service that the people were unaware that there was a severe weather warning in effect.
They said they had not seen any weather warnings, so they were either not paying any attention or a weather alert had not yet been issued when they last checked. In any case they said they were unaware of any weather warnings. It seems they consulted someone before heading off, but they didn't hear any of the warnings of how bad the weather was going to get.
Some 40 members of ICE-SAR and one of the Coast Guard helicopters participated in the rescue.
We at Iceland Insider would like to remind people that:
1) You should ALWAYS check the weather forecast before heading out. Remember that the weather can change very rapidly in Iceland.
2) Conditions at higher altitudes, on heaths, in the Central Highlands, or up in the mountains and on mountain roads can be very different from conditions closer to the coast.
3) Hiking in the Central Highlands or on the popular trails Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegurinn is NOT recommended for beginners. Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur require proper hiking equipment and experience.
