I can't think of a better testament to being alive.

Iceland is the most beautiful country I've ever been to. Some pictures:

15 minutes? Huh, I didn't realize Iceland was that small.

sweetmelissa31: Iceland is the most beautiful country I've ever been to.

Lived there for a year as a civilian contractor for the Navy.. I'd move there in a heartbeat if I could!

Some of my Iceland photos (new window)

markie_farkie: Lived there for a year as a civilian contractor for the Navy.. I'd move there in a heartbeat if I could!

Some of my Iceland photos (new window)

Nice- I especially like the "beware of headless man levitating above a cow" sign

Link (new window)

sweetmelissa31: Nice- I especially like the "beware of headless man levitating above a cow" sign

I didn't stick around that area for too long. Apparently, cows capable of decapitating and tossing human bodies into the air are enough of a problem to warrant a sign!

*sigh*

I want to to Iceland soooo bad but feel like a dork for going alone. I'm getting too old for this.

I used to travel alone but now the thought just depresses me.

*turns away*

I want to show my home to the world. This is amazing.

I have stood here many times.



And will again.

/love the song

Crazy jealous of the solitude she experienced on that hike.

I couldn't tell of the lost sequence was drama or not. Don't say you don't know were you are - you have a topo. Bust it out and find a couple of points. Then again she may have got freaked out by suddenly finding herself on steep class 2 talus with a 40+ pound pack which can wear you out rather quickly.

Excellent video.

Nadie_AZ: *turns away*

I want to show my home to the world. This is amazing.

I have stood here many times.

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x475]

And will again.

West clear creek canyon?

UberDave: Nadie_AZ: *turns away*

I want to show my home to the world. This is amazing.

I have stood here many times.

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x475]

And will again.

West clear creek canyon?

Havasupai. Just above Beaver falls.

Nadie_AZ: Havasupai. Just above Beaver falls.

I was going to call Havasupai. I'd really like to visit but don't know how to get to non-touristy areas.

lohphat: Nadie_AZ: Havasupai. Just above Beaver falls.

I was going to call Havasupai. I'd really like to visit but don't know how to get to non-touristy areas.

I met a guide on my last trip. Apparently you can get a guide to take you down and show you around for a few days. She was really nice. Also pretty hot (but I digress).

The trip was worth every moment of the hike with full gear. It was truly paradise.

Bloodcorn: She's really good at making me want to marry her.

I'd "this" you but she's half my age and old enough to be a daughter. She is attractive in the "full of life" sense and seems to "get it" about the wonder of the world and being alive and active and introspective about your place in it.

I'm not that creepy old guy...yet.

/potentiallyforeveralone
//butwithbetterbaggageandBMI

Atomic Spunk: Doesn't Iceland have any rapists? Because that would seem to be real concern for a girl walking alone just about anywhere else on earth.

It seems the further north you get the less crime there is in general. It may be cultural in terms of along with harsher weather, there's more of a sense of community.

I hear Iceland is very "small town" and the degrees of separation are few. That might have something to do with it. Also they have a healthier view about sexuality and empowerment and respect of women and thus there's less "need" for asocial behaviors.

SPna15: Beautiful footage. Shame the music was so horrible though. Kept distracting me.

It did at first for me too until you listen to the lyrics, then it fits.

Pete Johnston 4 hours ago
First I will say.... ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! I'm in love....

Now, a quick question...
Batteries?.... how did you charge them?

But enough about your hiking dildo.

Stunning.

Nadie_AZ: UberDave: Nadie_AZ: *turns away*

I want to show my home to the world. This is amazing.

I have stood here many times.

[lh3.googleusercontent.com image 640x475]

And will again.

West clear creek canyon?

Havasupai. Just above Beaver falls.


Nice. I have to start hitting some falls up there sometime. I love finding some good isolation. I have Elve's Chasm on the list - it's an isolated hike in but I hear falls and creek get a lot of river traffic.

gameshowhost: Pete Johnston 4 hours ago
First I will say.... ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! I'm in love....

Now, a quick question...
Batteries?.... how did you charge them?

But enough about your hiking dildo.


A good thru hiker wouldn't bring their hiker dildo. She would save a few ounces and use the hand.


But seriously, solar chargers under $100. They weigh ounces and you can slap them on top of the pack while traveling. I carry a Lithium Ion backup battery pack. rather than a charger and extra cords. It saves space and you can cram it anywhere in the pack without much fear of damage. But then again, I'm out for 3-5 days and rarely longer...unlike a thru hiker.

Atomic Spunk: Doesn't Iceland have any rapists? Because that would seem to be real concern for a girl walking alone just about anywhere else on earth.

The cultural aspects have been covered on why you really don't see rape, or much crime at all in Iceland, and Nordic countries in general. While I lived there, I got a kick out of seeing occupied strollers sitting outside smaller grocery stores!

Then, there's the sheer size of the island vs population density. 2/3 of the 310,000 people live in the greater Reykjavik area. The rest are scattered around the habitable perimeter of the island, leaving the vast interior highlands (about the size of Ohio) virtually uninhabited. A hiker out in the areas shown in the video would have a better chance of being hit by lightning than run across another person.. Oh, and it almost NEVER lightnings in Iceland.

Hikers are strongly encouraged to file a trip plan with the appropriate authorities, so if you don't turn up in the prescribed number of days, they know generally where to start looking.

CSB side note: The mountain rescue and coast guard are almost exclusively funded by the Icelandic population's purchase of shiatloads of fireworks for New Years. The average family will plunk down anywhere from $1000 to $3000 buying some of the biggest, most dangerous stuff on the planet, and proceed to blow it up for 4-6 hours nonstop on New Year's Eve. It's like horizon-to-horizon world war 3, with booze!

Example Here (new window)

/subby