Adventurer of the Week: Kate Tames the Beast
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Kate wanted an adventure, and boy did she get one! Her guide Tryggvi pushed her to the limit, and she along with her fiancé conquered more than she could ever have believed on her ice climbing adventure taming the beast.
What motivated you to visit Iceland?
Iceland has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember, mostly due to images of the Blue Lagoon and the Waterfalls. I am actually a travel agent from Sydney, Australia, and with Iceland being one of the hottest destinations of 2016/2017, I thought it was about time I ticked it off. I also thought that I could help my clients plan their own trips and speak from firsthand experience.
which was possibly the scariest yet most thrilling thing we’d ever done.
How long was your stay? Did you travel solo or with a group?
I travelled with my Fiancée and planned our own self-drive itinerary for 7 nights.
Which tour did you take and why did you choose it?
We chose the Glacier walk and Ice Climbing tour on Sólheimajökull. We are both adventure junkies and loved the idea of stepping on the glacier and learning all about it, plus adding in the ice climbing, as we’d never done that before.
What is one thing you will always remember about your tour?
Our guide Tryggvi!! He was incredible! So enthusiastic about Iceland, the glacier and climbing in general. He pushed us to our limits and had us climbing out of ‘The Beast’ (a black hole on the glacier), which was possibly the scariest yet most thrilling thing we’d ever done. Without his enthusiasm, passion and encouragement I’m not sure we would have done anything quite so terrifying. Haha.
What is something that you learned about Iceland that surprised you?
Everything about Iceland surprised me, but I was truly blown away by the friendliness and hospitality of all of the local people that we’d met along the way. We truly felt like we were at home at almost all of our stops, and we were very well looked after. It’s rare that you have such warm hospitality for an entire holiday, but we did.
If you had more time in Iceland, what else would you like to see and do?
As we came to Iceland in the summer, we would both love to experience the destination in the winter and try to catch the Northern Lights, and possibly do a Heli Ski trip! Otherwise, as we mainly stuck to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and South Coast on this trip, we’d love to venture a little further north and explore Vatnajokull Glacier National Park and the north coast.
What tips do you have for people who want to visit Iceland?
Be prepared for all climates, as it truly is about 4 seasons in one day, every day, and so plan for all kinds of weather conditions. And… try the lamb soup! An Icelandic staple and perfect for warming up after a big day of adventure. It was so delicious!
If you describe your tour in two words, what would they be?
Adrenalin rush!
What adventure are you off to next? What is your next dream adventure?
Working in travel I am very lucky to travel fairly frequently, but my next dream adventure would be Patagonia and Antarctica!
Kate's adventure is only one of the many features that make for an unforgettable experience. Book your tour and join us for an excursion that is guaranteed to make memories that last a lifetime.
Have you been on a tour with us in Iceland and would like to be featured as an “Adventurer of the Week”? Feel free to email us at info@mountainguides.is.
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