Langavegur & Fimmvörðuháls

[Katherine .]

I’m finally going to Iceland this summer! It will be my first international backpacking trip, and my first hut-based one. Given that I don’t have to pack a shelter or cookset, I’ve have a little more leeway for luxury items (e.g. towel). Starting on my gear list. Three specific questions and one general:

• Windshirt? I know it can get really windy and rainy. Is it every just windy? (Usually I wear Frogg Toggs for rain, which I’m happy to wear for wind as well, but am upgrading to a conventional 2.5 layer WPB shell for this trip.)
• What goes under the quilt in a hut bunk? If I like ample cushioning should I bring an inflatable? Or how about a fitted sheet?
• Seems like I have to buy the maps there. Any way to order good (1:24,000) topo maps in advance? I like to know I’ve got them! And I enjoy looking at them—it’s part of the planning fun.

Any other advice from travelers experienced with this trek or similar?

(Cicerone book: check, hut reservations: check, hiker bus pass/departure reservation: check)

[BlackHatGuy]

Not sure how old this is, but there’s this.

[BlackHatGuy]

From what I can see online, you can also download some maps on Gaia.

[Katherine .]

oh yeah, and it’s LaUgavegur, not Lan. Roger can you fix the title for me?

[BlackHatGuy]

I see Skurka’s trip was in 2008, but still might find useful info there.

[Katherine .]

Thanks Doug! One of those links pointed me to a 1:100,000 map for the whole trek. So that’s a start.

[John Brown]

Re: what goes under quilt at hut – you won’t need padding. I slept on top of my sleeping bag, found huts very hot and stuffy for the most part (but worth it to get out of the weather anyway). You could bring a sheet or light sleep sack.

[Author]

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