The different Nordic alphabets consist basically of the 26 letters used in the English alphabet (with some exceptions) and some added language specific letters. Some of the language specific letters are in common between several of the Nordic countries while others are unique to one country only. Pronounciation of the same vowel is often different between the Nordic languages while the consonants more have the same pronounciation.
This letter is in common in all Nordic languages but is pronounced differently.
This is not a traditional power trail with geocaches placed each 161 meters of distance between. You should read power in the meaning that you will have to use some power to get to them why distances are between 600 m and up between them instead. Idea is thus not to place hundreds of geocaches along a road but to give you a broader insight in the different types of Icelandic nature in this part of the country.
You will here take a walk (driving is always forbidden outside sign or stick marked tracks) on the hills and sidevalleys around Bárðardal and at the same time make you familiar with all the letters in the Nordic alphabets. There are 37 unique letters and there is a geocache named as each letter. To complete all the letters and the complete geocache series you will have to walk 30 km+.
You will be granted splendid views of Herðubreið, Dyngjufjöll and all the way down to Vatnajökull if the sky is clear. You will also see several different lava fields like Tunguhraun, Suðurárhraun and Útbruni to your east and the Sprengisandur area to your south.
The alphabet has been split into 3 groups with 11 traditional geocaches in each according to the listing below. Each group also holds an extra (mystery) bonus geocache. After finding all 3 bonus geocaches you can go for the super bonus (mystery) geocache too. In total this makes up to the 37 geocaches (11+11+11+3+1).
Letters are grouped as seen below and with unique Icelandic letters made bold :
A, Á, Å, B, C, D E, É, F, G, H - carry the information for bonus geocache Ð and all have blue screw lids
I, Í, J, K, L, M, N, O, Ö, P, Q - carry the information for bonus geocache Ó and all have yellowish screw lids
R, S, T, U, Ú, V, W, X, Y, Ý, Z - carry the information for bonus geocache Æ and all have red screw lids
Information found in bonus geocache Ð, Ó and Æ (which all have silver screw lids) will lead you to Super Bonus geocache Þ.
Container screw lids are different coloured to make you aware of when a new group has started and that it is time to check where the bonus cache might be hidden before you walk too far unless you have not noticed.
You may choose to walk only the blue or the red series. Walking the yellow series is more or less equal to walking the full series. The blue series has no creeks or rivers to ford. The red series has 2 and the yellow series has 3. The blue series will take you up higher than the red series. The blue series is the shortest alternative.The full series is in the form of a closed loop why breaking it means walking the same distance back again (blue) or creating a loop of your own (red). Information above is given for your planning in case you are not able to or planning to make them all at one strike.
Every traditional geocache contains a hint with information for finding the different bonus geocaches. In the bonus geocaches (all are mystery geocaches) there is further information for finding the super bonus geocache (also a mystery).
Information is available in the form : letter = number and the information tag may not be removed nor taken out from the tube.
NOTE DOWN ALL THE HINTS FOR FINDING THE BONUS CACHES. YOU SHOULD PREPARE A SHEET WITH ALL ABOVE LETTERS ON BEFORE STARTING YOUR TRIP.
HOW TO HANDLE THE HINT INFORMATION IS DESCRIBED IN THE LISTING OF THE BONUS CACHES.
Tighten the container lid well after signing the log strip!!
Please do not move or remove the hint information tag from the geocache !!
You can park your vehicle on the indicated parking coordinates where a dirt track takes its start. It is advisable to walk the trail in the numbered order in case you are up to doing the whole trail.In case you only go for the red series parking at the info sign after the bridge over Mjóadalsá is a good option.
PRACTICAL :
You should bring something to eat or at least some snacks or fruit. There is enough drinking water in the streams you will pass !
Wear sturdy walking shoes or even better high boots and as an option walking sticks may come in handy when fording. Be prepared to cross some creeks and areas with wetlands.
Most important is to bring warm, water and wind tight clothes. Weather changes rapidly and even if there is no wind in the valley it can be quite windy up the mountains. Do not forget to bring a hat or a cap. Areas are fully open and exposed for all kinds of weather with little or no shelter on offer. A mosquito net may come in handy too on a calm day.
In case of emergency GSM reception is likely to be poor in some of the areas and there are only two farms around so tell a friend or your host where you are heading before leaving if you are on your own. There is no one visiting these areas on a regular basis so you are very much left on your own here. Take extreme care and take no risky shortcuts or when fording the creeks and the river.
A calculator will also come in handy when calculating the coordinates of the final caches. For your own safety a detailed map over the area including a compass should be following you in case your GPS malfunctions. A GPS compatible map showing elevations and creeks is a big bonus too.
In case you are looking for an overnight stay in the area there are both camping and indoor stays possible close to the cache "Skjálfandafljót the shivering bridge".
GEOCACHE INFO :
You are looking for a short, 10cm long, PET tube containing a silica gel bag in the bottom for taking up eventual moisture, a hint for finding the final cache (which may not be removed) and a RITR (rite in the rain) paper log strip to sign. The hint is readable from the outside so there is no need to remove it from the tube.
BYOP ! (Bring your own pen ) since there is no pen in the container due to lack of space and risk of destroying the drying agent bag.
Under normal conditions a photo log will not be accepted. Do not reveal hint information in your logs since this will render your log becoming deleted by CO.
Do not put trading stuff into the cache !!
It goes without saying that the lid must be properly closed if the geocache shall survive a couple of meters of snow during winter time. The cache must also be well covered with stones again to survive the harsh winds. There is often storm in these areas especially during wintertime including huge amounts of rain and snow.
Please follow these simple rules and rehide the cache carefully with stones put in front or on top of it depending on the hiding.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation !
The geocaches in this series are all very basic meaning no fancy hidings or containers, mostly hidings under different stones. At site you will hopefully understand why.
We do not expect a detailed log in each and every cache, on the contrary a TFTC or similar is fine aswell as a copy/paste log. If you want to be detailed, which of course is appreciated, you may of course be so or if you want to put your experience into the bonus logs that is fine too.
Your experience and opinions are valued and very welcome by CO.
NOTE THAT DRIVING WITH VEHICLES OUTSIDE OFFICIAL STICK MARKED TRACKS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN !! AN OFFENSE WILL NOT ONLY DESTROY VULNERABLE SOIL AND PLANTS BUT MAY ALSO RENDER YOU A FINE OR IN WORST CASE PRISON OF UP TO TWO YEARS !
ARCTIC NATURE TAKES A LONG TIME TO RECOVER FROM DAMAGE SO BE VERY CAREFUL.
Permission to place geocaches in this area has been given to us by the land owners of the farms in concern; Halldórsstaðir 1&2, Engi, Bólstaður and Mýri.
Happy hunting, have a lot of relaxing fun and enjoy the many varieties of nature !
Ingabo & Heimdall