Programme news | Thórsmörk Trailteam

May 17

Back to Thórsmörk

After months of uncertainty, it was very good to finally arrive back in Thórsmörk yesterday. As always, our first visit of the season is an opportunity to take a look at how the winter conditions have affected our previous work. Despite heavy snow, the trail network was in good condition in most of the areas that we visited.

This first trip of the season is also the time when we start putting together a project list for the groups and we found plenty of interesting work to do. So far, the list includes everything from stone construction to timber stairs and of course… lots more drains.

We are currently working on a new safety plan for Covid-19 and hopefully it will be possible for our volunteers to join us later in the season. In the meantime, we will open the Langidalur camp this week so that work in the area can begin.

The drying hut at the Langidalur camp

Little water in Krossá

Snow at the Básar camp

May 8

Back to work

After an extended winter break, we are now back to work preparing for the summer projects in Thórsmörk and Goðaland. As usual, our season has begun at Thjórsárdalur Forestry Station (pictured) where we prepare materials and equipment before returning to our camps to start the practical work.

In these strange times, we will begin the season without groups and the revised work plan for our staff in May includes GIS data collection and work on the new hiking map as well as maintenance and improvements at the Langidalur base camp – so that it’s ready (and even better) for the groups when they can return.

Travel restrictions, safety concerns and ongoing uncertainty mean that many of our international volunteers will not be able to join us this season and have now deferred their placements until next year. We very much look forward to welcoming them to the team in 2021.

Mar 8

Winter at Langidalur volunteer camp

These recent pictures from the Langidalur volunteer camp show that there is still plenty of snow in Thórsmörk and the area is still in winter conditions.

We will be heading back to Langidalur to begin preparations for the season in April… just as soon as spring arrives and the snow starts to clear from the hiking trails.