Day 34: Þingeyri / F622

We’re having a winter holiday. Overnight, it snowed just a little way up the mountain above us, and the heater had to work hard to keep up.

Eventually, the rain stopped. But over the next few days, we need to track down a leak – one that is manifesting itself, of all places, as water in the light fixtures and dampness on the upholstery.

The clouds are lifting a bit, and the day doesn't look too bad, so we set off to drive around the peninsula. Route F622 is known for being a narrow track along the mountainside that crosses a stony beach for a short stretch (really just a few hundred meters). It’s impassable at high tide, and today it’s a no-go for us, too: we keep slipping on the round stones and nearly get bogged down in the loose gravel beneath. Wolle and Becky expertly pull us out, and we turn back.

But not before walking over to the other side, where one of two VW buses is stuck – and I mean *really* stuck. It’s at an awkward angle on a raised rocky ridge, in danger of sliding further down against a large boulder. The second bus doesn't have enough power to pull it free.

There aren't many options left: we drive all the way around to try and help. Two of the three people in the group head off to find help at a nearby farm.

In the end, a rescue team is called in and arrives at roughly the same time we do.

What have we learned? Loose rock can be nasty stuff. And we didn't leave the business of moving rocks behind in Africa. Two winches are better than one. And when operating the winch, don't just let the engine idle – rev it a bit so the battery doesn't drain. It’s also fascinating to see the kind of load the winch can handle.

It’s interesting to note that this pesky little stretch of track was apparently passable just a few days ago. That’s nature for you...

But now for the most important part: the landscape. Breathtaking. Spectacular. Dramatic. Almost beyond words. Wow. What a fantastic day.

In the evening, just before closing time at the gas station, we each grab two hot dogs, and the two speeding British cyclists we kept running into get a quick beer. Those two covered the 70 km – mountain pass included – in five hours! Hats off to them.