Raving Ravens

Caught in the storm - farmers amazing rescue work in Iceland

Two weeks ago, a fierce snow storm hit Iceland unexpectedly. At this time of the year we occasionally get the first snow, specially up in the mountains. The storm that hit Iceland Monday two weeks ago was a full blown winter storm with heavy snow fall in the North of the country. As the gatherings of sheep had not yet started tens of thousands of sheep got cought in the storm and thousands got killed. In the following days farmers and rescue squads where in the mountains searching for life sheep.

The sheep is well dressed in their warm wool and can withstand some really bad weather. If the get frozen stuck under a thick layer of snow they don't stand much chance though. Here are some amazing images from the rescue work:

 

 

A snowmobile transporting sheep and rescuers through the storm. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

The snow was a few meters deep in some places. Photo Erna Erlingdsóttir.

Dogs and avalanche poles where used to search for the sheep in the snow. Here is one freed after 6 days and still able to run! Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

We have a live one! Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

Three sheep. One life, two dead. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

Refueling. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

People, dogs and vehicles were pushed to the extreme. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

The sheep had seeked shelter under this rock. 22 found, 15 dead, 7 alive. Photo: Erna Erlingsdóttir

A river of sheep that have been rescued from the storm. Photo: Gísli Haraldsson

They are still finding life ones, after two weeks, though most found now are dead. Farmers and rescue workers have done an amazing jobs there.

Hjörtur

Nokia's Ultimate Challenge in Iceland

Nokia was looking for the ultimate test for their new amazing camera phone, the Nokia 808 Pureview with a revolutionary 41 MILLION PIXEL camera! So, with a team from Kin Design and Design Studio in London they came to me for the ultimate challenges that could be found on the island of fire and ice - and in the space above it! Here are the results:

 

Hjörtur

 

ps. if you're looking for the ultimate challenge for yourself, your films or your products - you know who to turn to ;)

Winter Driving in Iceland

Driving in the winter time can be tricky in Iceland. We've had a lot of snow in the last few weeks and roads have been closing down frequently due to snow and storms. 

I've been travelling quite a bit in the last few days as I've been teaching my course in Social media marketing in both Isafjordur in the Westfjords and Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the east. The roads were icy, I caught storms and on the mountains there was a lot of snow on the road. But I was well prepared and really enjoyed my trips. Though I was driving in the dark all the time I used the opportunity to take a few photos of the northern lights and the beautiful winter scenery :)

The right vehicle
I recommend you rent a 4x4 with studded tires and take into account that you might need a few extra hours for the trip. 

Be prepared
For safety you should also make sure you have extra food and drinks in the car and a warm blanket in case you get stuck somewhere. Have a full tank of fuel and let someone know at the hotel or where you're staying when you expect to arrive, so arrangements can be made if you don't show up. You can call 1777 for updates on traffic conditions before you head out into the country side in winter time. 

 

The sign in Seltún, Krýsuvík where you can find geothermal springs. The wind was over 20 m/sec, snow and very little visibility.

An angelica standing in the ice by Seljalandsfoss waterfall.

 

A fishing boat in safe harbour in Súðavík, in the Westfjords.

 

Better not drive too fast on the icy roads. This one had lost control and rolled over in the snow. Luckily, no one got injured.

 

A charming old farm in Hestfjordur in the Westfjords with the northern lights dancing above it.

 

A picture can never do the northern lights justice, but they simply filled the sky right above me, and were reflected below on the semi-frozen sea. It was impossible to capture the scale of it, but here is a glimpse. To realize the size of it, the mountain in the picture is about 3-400 meter high.

 

The northern lights were so bright that you could have driven with the headlights off. I don't recommend it though ;)

Have a nice trip! :)

Hjörtur

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Winter Sports in Iceland - Snow Kiting

Snow kiting is something I have never tried myself, but looks like a lot of fun. A friend of mine sent me this video from a French guy who visited Iceland last winter to see if he could find some good spots for snow kiting in Iceland. You can see the results in this video: 

 

The video is a trailer for a longer documentary about snow kiting i Iceland called "Black and White Heaven" made by snow kiter Jerome Josserand. Jerome has been traveling the world looking for the best places for snow kiting and decided after this trip to start a snow kiting school in Iceland with a local mountain guide Sigurdur Bjarni Sveinsson. 

 

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You can read more about their program on Iceland Kite Experience .com

Hjörtur

ps. for updates, you can like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter :)

 

Akureyri in the Snow! - Photo Essay

I had the pleasure of flying to Akureyri today with Air Iceland and it's a true winter wonderland over there. There is more snow in Akureyri today than there has been since 1995. So I shot a few pictures to share with you. I didn't have my tripod - so some of them are a little bit shaky, but the atmosphere gets across. 

The iconic Akureyri church with Christmas lights along the stairs.

Outside Hotel Kea, where I was running a Facebook workshop. 

The main shopping street in Akureyri where the snow is piling up.

The Akureyri harbour - half frozen. Akureyri churc in the background.

Akureyri is a very, very friendly town. Even the red lights are shaped like a heart :)

A snow covered Christmas tree in down town Akureyri.

Laxdalshus in Akureyri, built in 1795. Can you find the car in the snow?

Oh, yes, there's still Christmas in Akureyri. I mean, who would want to take down the Christmas lights in this snow?

The Akureyri theatre with a big ad for "The Rocky Horror Show". I was standing in snow up to my waist when taking this picture.

Akureyri is a beautiful town on an every day basis, but I highly recommend experiencing Akureyri during a snow storm :)

Hjörtur Smárason

 

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ps. a bonus picture - a squirrel I spotted in Eyjafjordur from the plane ;)

Glittering Winter Wonderland in Iceland

I woke up to a glittering winter wonderland with ice crystals covering everything there was. It's getting colder with temperatures down to -6°C this morning. There's no snow in the city, but it's frosty - and sparkling!

Here are a few pics I shot this morning on the school playground - which is actually just a lava field with caves and cracks where they can hide and explore. A truly magnificent playground for the curious kids :o)

Hjörtur Smárason

ps. remember to like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter for new updates, pictures and stories from the north :o)