Iceland's Volcanic Ski Tour
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
You must bring the following items:
Approach shoes / trainers (to travel in and for use in the hut)
Thin inner and thick outer technical socks
Casual trousers / pants
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Ski or mountaineering salopettes
Waterproof overtrousers / rainpants
Long johns (thermal underwear)
Baselayer shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Waterproof jacket
Warm jacket (down)
Warm hat
Lightweight balaclava or facemask
Eyewear- ski goggles and glacier sunglasses
Lightweight thermal gloves
Windproof and waterproof mittens
Daypack c.40 to 50 litres capacity
Sleeping bag rated to minus 5 degrees centigrade
Washbag and toiletries
Water bottle
1 litre Thermos Flask
Head-torch / head-lamp with spare bulb and batteries
Basic First Aid Kit
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Small towel
Antibacterial hand wash
Ski Equipment
Ski touring boots*
Ski-touring skis*
Ski-touring boots *
Ski poles*
Skins*
Gaiters
These items are optional:
Swimwear (for the hot springs)
Extra pair of warm mittens
Sleeping bag liner
Camera, film, batteries
Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
Ski Equipment:
The ideal skis to use for this trip are metal-edged Nordic Touring skis with a minimum width of 50mm, together with ski boots to suit step-in bindings. Strong but lightweight bindings, such as Rottefella (75mm) NNN BC or SNS XADV Raid are recommended. You also need full-length skins to assist with the ascents. You will also need a pair of strong poles with big baskets suitable for soft snow.
Ski Hire / Rental:
Ski Touring Equipment, which includes, skis, boots, poles and skins can be hired through KE, to be picked up (and paid for) on arrival in Reykjavik. The cost is currently (Jan 2013 – subject to change) 14,000 Icelandic kronur (approx. GBP70). You must reserve your ski hire through the KE office and we need at least 4-weeks advance notice along with your boot size, allowing for thick socks (please specify European size), your height and your weight. The ski hire is provided through a hire shop in Reykjavik and if the shop is open you will be taken there by the local guide to be fitted out with your hire gear. If the shop is not open, your guide will bring skis, poles, skins and several pairs of shoes of different sizes to make sure that you get a pair that fits well.
