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Logbook for the MRM and ERM Study Trip 2015 to Iceland Day 1 20 April

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Logbook for the MRM and ERM Study Trip 2015 to Iceland Day 1 20 April Logbook for the MRM and ERM study trip 2015 to Iceland Day 1 20th April - Arrival We arrived at Keflavik airport at 14:00, where the minibuses were waiting for us. Already, the harsh nature and cold winds made its impression on most of us, as the winter still had its grab in the island. Now, a 220 km drive was ahead of us to the hostel in Vik in the mid-south part of the island. On the way, we stopped at the Selfoss waterfall – one of the most spectacular ones in Iceland. Outside the populated zones of Iceland, the nature was just wonderful. One type of nature and rocks were continuously superseded by another and close to Vik, we got the first glimpse of the vast glaciers that characterise the southern and south-eastern parts of Iceland. Safely, we arrived at the Vik Hostel where we were to spend the next two days. Day 2 21th April - Vatnajökull National Park (Skaftafell) On our second day in Iceland, we drove to one of Europe’s largest national parks: Vatnajökull National park established in 2008 (an increase of the former 400-500 km2 Skaftafell National Park est. in1967). The group went to go on a 3-hour hike around the historical park and an additional 1-hour hike to the glacier. Vatnajökull National park has a great variety of landscape features, created by rivers, glacial-, volcanic- and geothermal activity in addition to comprising the biggest glacier in Europe and covering 14% of Iceland. The total area of the national park is approx. 13.952 km2 (in 2015) and the glacier covers an area of 8,100 km2, with a thickness of 400-950 meters and rises up to 2,000 meters above sea level (lowest point is 300 meters below sea level). Vatnajökull is, with the exception of one other glacier, the place in Iceland with the highest rainfall and water drainage to the ocean; so much, that if the Icelandic river with the greatest flow (Ölfusá) would carry the same amount from land to sea, it would take it over 200 years. The south side of Vatnajökull is characterised by high mountain ridges and “glacier tongues” sliding between them down into the valleys. The south part of the glacier encloses the volcano Öræfajökull and represents the highest peak in Iceland, Hvannadalshnjúkur, from where you can see the high ice, the vegetated forest areas and all the way to the black sand (composed ash) along the river Skeiðará, leading to the ocean. And on the west side you, already on the way to the glacier, see the results of substantial volcanic activity, charactering the landscape west of Vatnajökull, as two of the world's greatest fracture and lava eruptions of historical times occurred (Eldgjá in 934 and Lakagígar 1783-1784). On the first hike we went past Hundifoss, getting its name from a story, of how the farmers had to build a fence along the river to prevent their dogs from falling in the river and down the waterfall under flash floods. After this we past the old farm houses of Skaftafell; once a manor farm during the Middle Ages until it was taken over by the Church, and consequently owned by the Danish realm. In the mid-20th century, farming methods changed; the land in Skaftafell was considered ideal for forestry, but the landowners luckily 'wanted to preserve their land and not change it into a foreign forest'. After the Skaftafell farm we came past the Svartifoss ('Black waterfall'), created through volcanic activity and carved through by water, still changing the landscape till this day. Today the objectives of preserving Vatnajökull are to; protect the nature in the region (landscape, biota and geological formations, in addition to cultural features), allow the public to enjoy and learn from the nature, culture and history, and encourage research on the field. Vik Hostel Our first two nights (20.04 – 22.04) we spent in Vík - a small village with approx. 300 inhabitants - in the most southern part of Iceland with the amazing Reynisfjara beach and Dyrhólaey island close by. It is located about 190 km southeast from Reykjavík. Since the village was rather remote and small (hence no supermarkets) we were lucky to get breakfast at the Vík Hostel. We would have never wanted to miss that! The hostel offered us home-made bread, waffles, orange marmalade, all kinds of jams, dandelion syrup, home-made juices and best Icelandic products, like cucumbers, tomatoes and smoked trout. The Vik Hostel In 2013 Vík Hostel was successfully labelled as Green Hostel. To be able to use the Green Hostel logo the hostel must fulfill General Quality Standards, as well as additional environmental criteria, that HI Iceland decides and supervises, with the professional support of a consulting agency which audits the hostels. 1) Consumption: The hostel is only using reusable tableware. The hostel is making a clear effort to buy in bulks and reduce unnecessary waste from packaging when buying new products. E.g. Buckets from marmalade are re-used, glass bottles are reused for guests picnics. It was obvious that the owners are inventive and economical. Eco-labelled products: Toilet paper, wipes, cleaning products, washing powder and hand soap. Information about Icelandic water is available. There is water on the breakfast table. The hostel makes an effort to buy Icelandic products. E.g. cucumbers, tomatoes, milk, flat bread (flatbrauð) and dandelion syrup. The owner makes her own marmalade, jam, bread, home grown eggs, juice, waffles and more. This is stated in the hostels men and with signs on the breakfast table. The signs are home-made; painted stones from the shore. 2) Reusing and Recycling: The hostel is creative in reusing things (e.g. furniture and curtains). The hostel sorts the waste in the self-catering kitchen and in the kitchen used by the staff. The hostel collects plastic containers and reuses in gardening; collects all glass jars and bottles and reuses for jam and juices. In the kitchen there are signed bins for each category: Soda and drinking cans and bottles, Batteries, Organic waste, Medicine, Cardboard, Newspaper and magazines, Milk and juice containers, Toxic substances. The staff is trained verbally about waste handling. Also, a folder with written information is available, with procedures for cleaning and recycling. 3) Pollution: The hostel has clear instructions for the washing machine and the amount of washing powder to use. The washing powder for clothes is eco-labelled. The hand soap and the dishwashing detergent is eco-labelled. The hostel is not using any toilet refresher. A lot of the furniture and tableware is bought second hand. The hostel is reusing drift wood, and using local materials (beach black stones) to design furniture and decoration. Toxins / strong materials are not used for daily cleaning or other ordinary operations. The owner takes the sorted waste to a recycling station close by. All garbage bins are checked and cleaned daily. 4) Energy and Water: The hostel is keeping a log for energy usage. There is no meter for the water usage. The hostel is recommended to log every month. The owners states that the plumbing and heating system is checked regularly. When renewing the light bulbs they are replaced with energy efficient bulbs. The hostel is aware of the sustainable issues aspects when new equipment is needed. E.g. newly bought dishwasher was energy efficient (A+). Guests are reminded to turn of the light with signs. In the end of the day lights are always turned off. When guests leave, the heating is turned down in the rooms. Outdoor lighting is equipped with motion sensors. 5) Transportation: Guests are informed about busses and other ways to share trips. The hostel even plans trips where guests share a car. 6) Environmental Education: The Environmental policy is hung up in public spaces, visible to visitors and guests, in Icelandic and in English. The first step when new staff is trained is an introduction to context of the Environmental Policy and the quality standards of HI Iceland. The attitudes of visitors are checked by using "your opinion" papers. Access the results regularly and respond to its effects. Day 3 22nd April – the black beach, puffins – Hekla – hot river The day started by driving out to an area, which was known to have puffins but unfortunately we weren’t able to locate them. The puffins number has also been declining drastically given that they have been hunted heavenly in the past. In this area we also saw black beaches, which were created by volcanic activity. After that we went to the waterfall Skögafoss, which is one of the famous waterfalls in the area near Vik. The Black Beach Afterwards we went for a scenic detour before heading back towards Reykjavik. On this detour we saw Hekla from a distance, which is one of the most famous volcanoes of Iceland. The volcano is known for its activity and obstacles it brings to the Icelandic people given that it normally erupts every 10 years. It has been several years overdue though. On this detour we also saw 2 windmills, which was attached to a closed area. This got us wondering why there weren’t more windmills in the area. We got the answer through our contact at the university, who told us that the reason, why there weren’t any more windmills, were because of the very strong winds in Iceland, which simple should be too much for the windmills. This and that the view of unspoiled nature would be harmed through the sight of windmill parks.
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