Valaból Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size:  (small)
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Location:
When Bandalag íslenskra farfugla was established, in 1939, it began searching for places that could be used for accommodation. The first place that was chosen was the cave Músarhellir (Mouse's cave) which later got the name Valaból. Valaból became the first hostel in Iceland.
In 1942, the cave was enlarged and made ready for use. The floor was lowered by a half a meter, a door with a window was put in place and a sailcloth was put on the floor.
Later, the sailcloth was removed and a wooden floor was put instead. Cooking facility was added.
But in 1960, the wooden floor and the cooking facility were removed because the wood had become rotten.
Why was the cave called Músarhellir?
Well, it is not clear why, but here are two possible reasons.
The first reason is that the cave was so small it reminded of a mouse hole.
The second reason is that mice got into travelers' lunchbags. Icelandic travelers (before 1900) used Músarhellir as accommodation while traveling.
Valaból, the first hostel in Iceland.
Getting to the Cache:
Park at the recommended parking area.
Walk through the narrow opening on the gate. When you get to NORTH, turn left.
Walk on the trail until you see stairs that go over a fence (it is used to keep sheep away).
This trail is yellow so you should see sticks with a yellow line every few hundred meters.
Total walking distance: About 4 km.
Total walking time: About 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Container:
The cache is a 11 x 11 x 5 cm (600 ml) watertight plastic container.
Original Cache Contents:
Tradable Items:
Beaded cat
Beaded heart
Sally Carrera from the film Cars
Small Kick 'n' Trick ball
Trackable
Non-tradable Items:
Logbook
Two pencils
Cache note
Please hide the cache well when you are done.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n ubyr jvgu fgbarf pbirevat gur pnpur.