Icelandic rescue units responded to ten incidents on Mt. Esja in 2014. The mountain, located around ten kilometres north of Reykjavík, makes for a popular hike among locals and tourists alike. Jónas Guðmundsson led the rescue expedition on Mt. Esja on Sunday, he told Channel 2 news that people tend to underestimate conditions on the mountain due to its close proximity to the capital.
Formidable weather conditions and the risk of an avalanche made the rescue expedition on Sunday both difficult and dangerous. The first team on site got caught in a minor avalanche.
Read more: The weather in Iceland: Come rain, shine, and stiff joints.
Read more: A few tips about driving in Iceland.
Jónas admits he did consider withdrawing the teams because of hazardous conditions. “We decided to continue with the search because we knew the man was in critical condition and would not survive the night.” He adds: “People sometimes forget that Mt. Esja is a real mountain range, peaking at 914 metres (2998 ft) above sea level.”
Note: We stress the importance of checking both weather and road conditions before heading off into the unknown. The weather in Iceland can quickly take a turn for the worse, especially in mountainous areas.
Related: Lost tourist found cold but unharmed in Blikadalur
Icelandic rescue units responded to ten incidents on Mt. Esja in 2014. The mountain, located around ten kilometres north of Reykjavík, makes for a popular hike among locals and tourists alike. Jónas Guðmundsson led the rescue expedition on Mt. Esja on Sunday, he told Channel 2 news that people tend to underestimate conditions on the mountain due to its close proximity to the capital.
Formidable weather conditions and the risk of an avalanche made the rescue expedition on Sunday both difficult and dangerous. The first team on site got caught in a minor avalanche.
Read more: The weather in Iceland: Come rain, shine, and stiff joints.
Read more: A few tips about driving in Iceland.
Jónas admits he did consider withdrawing the teams because of hazardous conditions. “We decided to continue with the search because we knew the man was in critical condition and would not survive the night.” He adds: “People sometimes forget that Mt. Esja is a real mountain range, peaking at 914 metres (2998 ft) above sea level.”
Note: We stress the importance of checking both weather and road conditions before heading off into the unknown. The weather in Iceland can quickly take a turn for the worse, especially in mountainous areas.
