Taking the first step was so satisfying. Each crunch of the soft white snow beneath my feet echoed in my surroundings. This was a journey of adventure. Tall, intimidating mountains and their jagged edges peeked between the blankets of snow which covered them. Besides my footsteps there was silence. Calm. Peace. I was wrapped up well to try and deflect some of the harsh Icelandic winds, which for those who don’t know are very unforgiving.
I was venturing out into the wilderness in southern Iceland. Heading for the small and well-hidden Seljavallalaug Pool, one of the oldest outdoor swimming pools in Iceland, had been on my bucket list for some time now. The naturally heated pool is nestled deep in the mountains and away from everyday civilisation.
It was the middle of March and conditions were fair. The snowstorms of previous days had now subsided, which provided a much more tolerable environment for the hike. The mountains were also sheltering me from the persistent winds.