Sailors in an Icelandic rainforest

Last wednesday, Dagmar Aaen arrived from Arved Fuchs expedition to Greenland (www.arved-fuchs.de). The North Sailing family was happy to have them back in Húsavík and on saturday the crew of Dagmar Aaen were invited to Fellsskógur, a forest in a valley south of Skjálfandi bay. The glacier river, Skjálfandafljót, runs in this valley on its way from Vatnajökull glacier to the bay of Skjálfandi.

The forest is one of Icelands few remaining birch forests. Fellsskógur has long been utilized by the close by farm, Ystafell, for the making of coals, firewood and as a building material. Year 1945 the forest was protected and the Icelandic Forest Service started planting trees and rebuilding it up.

 

The North Sailing family is a part owner of a little beautiful hut in the forest. This hut was built by a relative, Friðgeir Jónsson, who was a great admirer of wood, woodwork and reforestation. It was a pleasure to be able to spend a day with Arved and his crew before they head back home to Germany.

 

The hut, Skógarfell, in Fellsskógur forest

When arriving to the forest the crew of Dagmar Aaen learned the history of the area and the hut. Than the group went for a guided hike in the hills of the forest. At first the people were surprised to experience such a dense forest in Iceland. But later even more surprised when the hike turned into a tricky walk through a Icelandic Rainforest!

 

 

Árni, guiding the Dagmar crew in the forest

 

The rain was pouring down, but they still enjoyed it very much.

 

In the warm hut, the crew could dry their soaking wet feet and enjoy a barbeque with delicous Icelandic meat

 

Arved and his cheerful crew