Fire And Ice

Iceland is not just about ice, but also about heat. Dotting the polar landscape of lava and snow-covered mountains are steaming geothermal hot springs. Some are bubbling mud, but others are crystal clear and beckon hikers for a dip.

Hot spring winding its way through Olkelduhals valley

Hikers walking through lava fields toward a steaming hot spring at Misty Valley, Olkelduhals, Iceland

Ice crystals form from steam settling on the grass and rocks surrounding the hot spring

Me enjoying a dip in a hot spring at Olkelduhals, Iceland.
The hardest part was getting out of my 5 layers of winter gear, into a swim suit (and back).
Outside temperature: 32°F (0°C)
Wind chill: -10°F
Water temperature: 97-99°F (38°C)!

Comments

[Manjula Srinath]

Wonderful pictures Basia, look at you so excited :-) Have a great & safe time.

[Shannon]

Looks like the beginning of a swimsuit calendar!

[Mary Keller]

What a way to celebrate a birthday, Basia, - warmth in the midst of mountains, chilly air, blue skies.

[Sharon from CT]

Is the air temperature around you & the hot springs closer to the water temp or the outside temp?? I could never figure out how you don't become freeze-dried as you exit the water or your head is exposed!! Do you remember our freshman year, you actually ruminated if you could simply eat a teaspoon of instant freeze-dried coffee (it was exam time), would it give you the caffeine boost without going thru the trouble of boiling water & all that bother...I think we gave it grave consideration. Glad you remembered your swimsuit...beautiful color by the way...The water is so clear I can see your toes!!

[Basia]

Manjula: Thanks!

Shannon: LOL, that's one calendar I don't think you'd be very interested in!!

Mary: Yep, it was perfect...

Sharon: Oh my gosh, I don't remember having that profound conversation, but I'm not surprised we did...The air temperature near the hot springs was freezing - in fact, as I was sitting in the water, icicles were starting to form on my wet hair. And when you first step out (or just before you step in) it's bitterly cold. I was with two other women in the group, and while they were sitting in the hot spring, they were plotting what would be the most efficient way to get clothes back on, to minimize the freezing. Shoes first? Top? Pants? I found the conversation very amusing.

[Sharon from CT]

What order did they decide on? And more importantly, did it work? I might have gotten half undressed & thought "NAH".

[Shanae Buckner]

Iceland is a country full of volcanoes and snow so it comes as no wonder that hot springs there are increasing, especially around the mountains. That will definitely boost the country's economy, especially its tourism.