Eldur og Ís - Ís Multi-Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The Cache is located next to Lofthellir, a lava formed cave that hides fantastic natural ice sculptures.
It is said, that these formations are the greatest currently known in an Icelandic lava cave.
The Location:
Lofthellir is located in the Laxádalslava, that came more than 3500 years ago out of Ketildyngju, the main volcano of this system. The cave is about 370 m long and it is possible to discover the cave up to a length of 150 m. The entrance to the cave is a small narrow tunnel that you have to pass after you stepped down the ladder.
Inside the cave a magical world of ice and lava is waiting for you. The ground is totaly filled up with ice, the ceiling is covered with uncountable little icecristals like the sky with millions of stars, icicles hang from the top and natural ice sculptures, built drop by drop, accompany your way to the end of the tunnel.
The Cache:
The coordinates point to the entrance of Lofthellir. In the first year of the cache the box was placed in the biggest hall of the icecave. The cave has now been locked so an exploration is only possible on a guided tour.
The cache was moved in august 2010 from inside the icecave to the other side of the big lava tunnel. Unfortunately you can not see the iceformations from there, but the lavacave itself is also very impressive. The small lock&lock box is hidden in the lava. Step down the ladder, walk approx. 30 m into the cave. The box is right behind a big stone/boulder on the the right side (ladder side).
The short climbing part shouldn't be a problem.
How to get there:
As the cave is located in the middle of nowhere, it is neither easy to find it nor to get there. If you travel by 4x4 jeep you can drive to Lofthellir on a small track from Reykjahlið. On your adventurous way to the roots of Mt. Hvannfell you'll pass the crater row of Lúdentarborgir.
You can leave your car at the parking waypoint. From there it is a 30-minute walk across an endless ropey lava field.
If you would like to visit the Lofthellir icecave, you have to participate a guided tour.
A reservation can be made at Saga Travel. The main guide knows about the cache.
Equipment:
If you only go for the cache you don't need more than usual hiking boots and a torch. In the cave itself it can be very slippery, it is dark and about 0°C cold. The lava is very sharp and the floor can be wet.
If you decide to participate a tour to Lofthellir you will get the necessary equipment such as studded boots, helmet, head torch, gloves... from the tourguide
Risks:
You discover the cave at your own risk!
Never go alone! Let someone know where you are going to.
The cache is not suitable for people with claustrophobia or people who are not in reasonable physical condition.
Behavior in the icecave:
You can use the ropes in the cave to walk up the icehills.
When you leave the cave you have to be absolute sure that the ropes don't touch the floor!!!
Put them on the lava stones like you have found them when you came. Otherwise they will freeze immediatly into the ice and cannot be used any more.
Don't touch the icicles at the ceiling or the floor! They brake easily and you will destroy them.
And of course don't leave any things in the cave except your trades in the cache!
Góða skemmtun!
Álfadrottning
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur fznyy ybpx&ybpx obk vf uvqqra ba gur bccbfvgr fvgr bs gur vprpnir va gur yninghaary (abg gur fvqr jvgu gur jbbqra qbbe) va n urvtug bs nobhg 2 z. Nccebk. 30 z njnl sebz gur ynqqre (ba gur fnzr fvqr) lbh jvyy frr n ovttre fgbar/obhyqre. Gur pnpur vf uvqqra oruvaq.