Andy takes the high route on Godafoss

Skjálfandafljót and Goðafoss

Woken up again by being too hot. This is not the same Iceland I remember from 1989 where we got so cold on the Skjálfandafljót that we lost the feeling in our fingers. Packed up camp and set off for the Skjálfandafljót and to kayak over Goðafoss, just where Route 1 crosses the river.

It is another sunny day and we arrive at the tourist lookout spot just north of Goðafoss and plan what we are going to do.  I am not a great fan of running waterfalls, I would rather be on a big volume rapid any day, and I just plan to paddle the lower drop on Goðafoss as I did in 1989.  Andy has other ideas though, and he ran a small side shoot on the high side of the fall, whilst Tom and look on in wonder and take some photos. Once Andy has finished his high-side run, we all head over to the other side of the fall and take it in turns to run the low side. I don’t do a great job of it, and roll at the bottom of the drop, but there are no real problems.

Tom kayaking the low side of Goðafoss

We portaged the large fall a few hundred metres below Goðafoss and paddle the next stretch of rapids. V. enjoyable and not so scary as running Goðafoss.

Andy kayaking the low side of Goðafoss

We set off up the Skjálfandafljót to Aldeyjarfoss and stop for some photos. There is a great section of rapids in this area and we plan to do them in the morning. Now camped up near the get in.

Aldeyjarfoss, not one for kayaking