In Seventh Heaven at Hraundrangi
Sævar Helgason and Sara Dögg Pétursdóttir, having reached the top of Hraundrangi. mbl.is/Jökull Bergmann
“The feeling of accomplishing this is indescribable,” Sævar Helgason tells Morgunblaðið . Led by Jökull Bergmann, mountain guide, Sævar and his wife Sara Dögg Pétursdóttir accomplished the difficult task Tuesday of conquering Hraundrangi in Öxnadalur valley, North Iceland.
From the valley, it took them about six hours to reach the top. First, they hiked up 1,000 m of slopes and rocky terrain, followed by a very steep cliff face.
Sævar Helgason and Sara Dögg Pétursdóttir on their way up. mbl.is/Jökull Bergmann
“August 25, 2020, will remain one of the most memorable days of our lives,” Sævar states.
The picturesque Hraundrangi has an elevation of 1,075 m (3,527 ft) and towers over Öxnadalur valley, visible from the Ring Road in North Iceland when you approach Akureyri, coming from the south. It rises 80 m (260 ft) above the ridge of the mountain.
The elated couple, with Hraundrangi in the background. mbl.is/Jökull Bergmann
The peak - a lava column - was considered impossible to climb until August 5, 1956 , when it was finally conquered by three men: Finnur Eyjólfsson, Sigurður Waage and Nicholas Clinch. Since then, many experienced mountain climbers have made it to the top - Jökull Bergmann among them, who since 1993 has been there no less than 30 times.
