News – Page 8 – IATNL

Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

IATNL

Visiting an Iceland Touring Association Hut

On June 26, after the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Icelandic Touring Association Manager Palli Gudmundsson took IAT Chair Paul Wylezol and IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland on a day-long tour of Thorsmork (named after the Viking God of Thunder) and one of the ITA’s most popular backcountry huts. The day began with a 2-hour drive from Reykjavik to the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, at the off-road entrance to the valley and the ITA’s Laugavegur Trail, the most popular hiking trail in Iceland.

Flagler Films Releases IAT Ireland Video

On June 16 at the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, Flagler Films released its new IAT Ireland promotional video. Fáilte Ireland and the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council contracted the company to produce a 6-minute video in 2011, on the newly established International Appalachian Trail in the Republic of Ireland. Flagler Films is well known for its filming of the Appalachians including its award-winning documentary about the world famous Appalachian Trail entitled ‘Appalachian Impressions’ and the production of short promotional videos on the IAT in Newfoundland & Labrador. Mark Flagler is a veteran hiker who has thru-hiked the entire 2,172-mile Appalachian Trail and has walked and filmed thousands of miles of long distance trails in the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe. On April 29, 2011 Mark became the first recorded hiker to walk the entire IAT in Ireland. Flagler Films’ latest video highlights the newly established IAT route in Ireland that travels 119km (73.9 miles) from the cliffs of west County Donegal to the Northern Ireland border at Kelly's Bridge. The trail begins along the Atlantic coast at the towering cliffs of Slieve League. It continues on to the historic town of Gleann Cholm Cille, then up the glittering coast to the abandoned settlement of Port and along the Maghera Strand to Ardara. From there the IAT follows paths with the well-known Bluestack Way along the Owenea River to the scenic market town of Glenties, up and over the rugged Bluestack Mountains and past the inspiring Lough Eske. The IAT…

IAT Reaches Greenland’s Eastern Settlement

On June 19 after the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland traveled to south Greenland to meet with IAT partner Blue Ice Explorer and walk sections of the new IAT route near Eric the Red’s historic settlement at Brattahlid.

IAT Bridges the Divide at Mid Atlantic Ridge

On June 18, following the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, representatives of the IAT from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean traveled to the Mid Atlantic Ridge in Thingvellir National Park, where ITA President and park warden Olafur Haraldsson – a renowned arctic explorer – gave a guided tour through the park.

Visiting an ITA Hut: Comfort in the Backcountry

On June 26, after the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, Iceland Touring Association Manager Palli Gudmundsson took IAT Chair Paul Wylezol and IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland on a day-long tour of Thorsmork (named after the Viking God of Thunder) and one of the ITA's most popular backcountry huts. The day began with a 2-hour drive from Reykjavik to the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, at the off-road entrance to the valley and the ITA's Laugavegur Trail, the most popular hiking trail in Iceland. Not far from the waterfalls, on a dirt road best-suited to Iceland's mega-wheeled SUVs on steroids, is the now dormant Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which in 2010 blew its top - and the back-end out of a one-time glacier-fed lake. The landscape here is other-worldly, a convoluted mix of grays and browns from rock and lava, to lush green hues of grasses and mosses; all bisected here and there with deep chasms of meltwater waterfalls. Before long driver Palli plunges his SUV into a fast moving and milky river, unable to see the holes and rocks on the bottom, but hopeful of making it to the other side. This is repeated another 2 or 3 times, until the vehicle finally - and safely - crosses the Krossa River. To the suprise of Paul and Arne, tour buses full of eager hikers follow the same route to the far side of the river, where the popular Thorsmork Hut is located. The hut is located on a gentle slope adjacent to the river, at the mouth of the Langidalur Valley. The area is named Landmannalaugar, and is…

IAT Reaches Greenland’s Eastern Settlement

On June 19 after the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland traveled to south Greenland to meet with IAT partner Blue Ice Explorer and walk sections of the new IAT route near Eric the Red's historic settlement at Brattahlid. But even before touching down at the airport in Narsarsuaq, it was visible from the air that Greenland is a sparsely populated land of rock and ice. Still, in the historic Eastern Settlement region of the south, the outer valleys are remarkably green, and often dotted with sheep on the treeless grassy slopes. A view of Qassiarsuk (Brattahlid), opposite the airport settlement of Narsarsuaq The first order of business after touching down was to stop by Blue Ice Explorer headquarters, just a few minutes walk from the airport. There Paul and Arne met IAT rep Birgitte Pedersen who briefed them on their 4-day walking and boating itinerary, and the new IAT Greenland route. Left to right: IATNL Vice Chair Arne Helgeland, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, Blue Ice Explorer co-owner Jacky Simoud, Blue Ice Explorer guide, and Blue Ice Explorer planner and IAT rep Birgitte Pedersen From there the two were ferried across Eriksfjord to Qassiarsuk - Eric the Red's Brattahlid - to a Blue Ice Explorer cottage for the night, before setting out at 6:00am on a 7-hour return trek to Tasiusaq. The hike began with a stop at Leif Erikson's bronze statue overlooking Brattahlid, followed by a…

IAT Bridges the Divide at Mid Atlantic Ridge

On June 18, following the IAT AGM in Reykjavik, Iceland, representatives of the International Appalachian Trail from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean traveled to the Mid Atlantic Ridge in Thingvellir National Park, and bridged the geological divide between North America and Europe. Monday's full-day of touring began with a one-hour bus drive from Reykjavik to Thingvellir, where ITA President and park warden Ólafur Örn Haraldsson - a renowned arctic explorer - gave a guided tour through the park, from the ridge (aka Mid Atlantic Rift) to the historic Althing outdoor assembly, held on the plains of Þingvellir beginning in 930 AD. The visit provided a great photo opportunity at one of earth's most significant geological features, which caused both the North American, Eurasian and Africa continental plates to separate, and the Appalachian, Caledonian, and Atlas Mountains to diverge from their colliding birthplace on the super-continent Pangea, more than 200 million years ago. IAT Founder Richard "Dick" Anderson at the Mid Atlantic Rift (Will Richard photo) Will Richard Photo At the Althing, a banner of a Mid Atlantic Pledge was unveiled to mark the occasion, which British Geological Survey Team Leader and IAT Scotland representative Hugh Barron aptly described as the IAT uniting what the Mid Atlantic Ridge divided. Left to right: IAT Europe Geologist Hugh Barron; IAT Europe Vice Chair Magne Haugseng; IAT North America Geologist Walter Anderson; IAT Maine President Don Hudson; ITA President and Thingvellir Warden Ólafur Örn Haraldsson; IAT Founder Richard "Dick" Anderson; IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol; and IAT Recording Secretary Caroline Swan …

U. S. Ambassador to Iceland Hosts Reception

On June 15, Mr. Louis Arreaga, United States Ambassador to Iceland, hosted a reception for all attendees of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) Annual General Meeting in Reykjavik on June 16. The event was held at the Ambassador’s embassy residence in downtown Reykjavik, and was attended by approximately forty guests, including Canadian Ambassador Alan Bones and Norwegian Ambassador Dag Werno Holter. An informal social gathering in the garden was followed by a formal welcome and congratulatory presentation by Mr. Arreaga, and additional greetings by Ambassador Bones, Ambassador Holter, former Appalachian Trail Conservancy Executive Director David Startzell, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol, and IAT Founder Dick Anderson. Left to Right: Ólafur Örn Haraldsson, President of Iceland Touring Association (ITA); Dave Startzell, Retiring Executive Director of Appalachian Trail Conservancy; Richard "Dick" Anderson, Founder IAT; Mr. Louis E. Arreaga, United States Ambassador to Iceland; Mr. Alan Bones, Canadian Ambassador to Iceland; Leifur Thorsteinsson, ITA; Magne Haugseng, IAT Europe Vice Chair; Mr. Dag Werno Holter, Norwegian Ambassador to Iceland; and Paul Wylezol, IAT Chairperson The reception provided an excellent opportunity for attendees from both sides of the Atlantic to meet each other face to face (in many cases for the first time) and to discuss the International Appalachian Trail. Dick used the opportunity to present U.S. Ambassador Arreaga with a framed map of the Appalachian-Caledonian terranes on both side of the North Atlantic, divided in two by Iceland's Mid Atlantic Ridge. It was a terrific way to kick off the first IAT AGM outside North America, and we thanked Mr. Arreaga for…

First IAT AGM Held Outside North America

The Annual General Meeting of the International Appalachian Trail was held on Saturday, June 16 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Since the establishment of chapters in Greenland and Scotland in the spring of 2010, this was the first combined meeting of representatives from Europe and North America.

First Art & Adventure Festival a Success

From June 8-10, the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park went ahead with good weather and participation. Organized by Parks Canada, the IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures, the weekend included a rug hooking and art exhibit, art workshop, hiking, zodiac tours and shuttles, and nightly entertainment in Woody Point and Trout River.

Art & Adventure Festival at Gros Morne Park

From June 8-10, Parks Canada, IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures will be presenting the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park. The 3-day event will include hooked rug and fine art exhibits and workshops at the park’s Discovery Center in Woody Point, zodiac adventures on Trout River Pond, and guided hikes of nearby Overfalls Trail.

Parisiens Trek Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail

From May 19 to 21, two hikers from Paris, France braved chilly nightime temperatures and colder patches of snow and ice to make a rare spring trek of the Blow-Me-Down Mountain Trail. Fabien Mignot and Loris Pennacchioli took a break from their studies in Montreal to visit Western Newfoundland -formerly a part of the French Shore of Newfoundland – and hike sections of the IATNL.

New Trail to Eastern Point, Portland Creek

On May 5, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and local volunteer Robert Wentzell took advantage of a beautiful spring day to add a new section of trail to Eastern Point, near Portland Creek on the Great Northern Peninsula. The original IATNL route ended near the rocky shoreline, while the new section provides a safe detour around the rocks, for those less nimble on their feet.

Norway’s North Sea Trails Install IAT Blazes

North Sea Trails in Norway, part of the Coast Alive partnership (www.coast-alive.eu), have begun installing IAT trail markers to their trailhead signs and sign posts. Coast Alive officially joined the IAT in March 2011, and has chapters in the North Sea countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and England. North Sea Trailhead Sign in Vest-Agder County Coast Alive partners in Norway include Vest-Agder County Council, Sogn og Fjordane County Council, Rogaland County Council, Møre og Romsdal County Council, Kragerø Municipality, and Hordaland County Council. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Møre og Romsdal County Sogn og Fjordane County Rogaland County Vest-Agder County Kragerø Municipality

Scotland Introduces IAT Trail Markers

In 2012, IAT Scotland will begin marking its trails with three versions of the IAT blaze. Each will have the IAT-SIA layout framed in blue, with the Scottish flag at top. In addition to the standard layout, the Highland version will include a Gaelic translation of International Appalachian Trail, while the Lowland version will include a reference to famous Lowland Scots Robert Burns, the Scottish National Poet, and Sir William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce, who began their armed struggle for Scottish freedom in the wild hills of Ayrshire and Galloway in the southwest of Scotland. For more information on IAT Scotland, go to the Scotland chapter page.

Green Point: A 500+ Million Year Thru Hike

On the western coast of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, just 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Bonne Bay and mid-way through Gros Morne National Park, lies a grassy headland with a geologic stature far exceeding its low-lying geographic profile. Unless IAT thru-hikers decide to camp at the nearby campground or trek the pebbly beach, they are likely to bypass this unassuming site.

Springtime in Gros Morne National Park

On April 15, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol took advantage of a beautiful spring day to take a leisurely drive along the IATNL route through Gros Morne National Park, from Gros Morne mountain to Parsons Pond. After crossing from the western side of Bonne Bay on the pedestrian ferry to Norris Point, the route follows the highway to the park’s Visitor Center, from where hikers can either take the 3-day Long Range Traverse to Western Brook Pond or …

Explorer Lew Coty & The Devil’s Bite at Last

Vermont Explorer Lew Coty recently put fingers to keyboard to recount his 2011 Western Newfoundland adventures. To follow – in his own words – is the first of two memorable treks: August 1, 2010 This was the first day of a solo 4-day excursion around the IATNL’s Devil’s Bite and Indian Lookout loops. The Devil’s Bite is a local landmark that can be seen from many miles in all directions, and is located …

Explorer Lew Coty & North Arm Hills Trek

Vermont Explorer Lew Coty recently recounted his 2011 North Arm Hills Trek. To follow – in his own words – is his two-day adventure: July 30, 2010 I made a one-day excursion into the terrain south of the upper end of Trout River Pond to see Overfall up close. This majestic waterfall is visible for many miles from its east side … Such was the motivation to come back for more exploration in this area.

Scotland Selects IAT Route

In 2011, partners Ayrshire and Loch Ryan Coastal Path, West Highland Way, and Cape Wrath Trail approved an IAT Scotland route extending from Stranraer in the south to Cape Wrath in the north. More than 500 kilometers (300 miles) in length, the route covers the full range of Scottish terrain, from lowland seascapes to highland mountain vistas. The Loch Ryan Coastal Path begins at the Stranraer Tourist Information Office and extents 18 kms (11 miles) north to Glenapp Church where it connects to the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Along the way it traverses the estates of Glenapp and Lochryan, with their rolling hills and occasional glens providing the ever-present panorama of bonnie Loch Ryan with Arran, Mull of Kintyre, Northern Ireland, Rhinns of Galloway and Luce Bay featuring in the skyline. This is a pleasant way-marked route with information boards located throughout to illustrate and explain the birdlife and historic features for which the area is noted. Loch Ryan Coastal Path The Ayrshire Coastal Path extends 160 kms (100 miles) from Glenapp to Skelmorlie along one of the finest panoramic coastlines in the British Isles. Crowned with a superb backdrop of the ever-changing profile of the mountains of Arran across the Firth of Clyde, this coastline is steeped in history and teeming with wildlife. Ayrshire Coastal Path The 154 km (96 mile) West Highland Way starts at Milngavie, passes through Mugdock Country Park, follows the shores of Loch Lomond, passing Ben Lomond, through Glen Falloch and Strathfillan, crossing Rannoch Moor, past Buachaille…

January 20, 2012