At the end of September, after hoping to do so for several months, I summited Hrútsfjallstindar, one of the tallest mountains in Iceland at 1875 m.

Hrútsfjallstindar, or Ram top mountain is located near to Skaftafell and is in Vatnajökull park and ice cap.

I met with Alfreð at 4:30 am, we had breakfast and checked the gear before driving to Svínafellsjökull car park. We set off in the dark and walked along the moraine towards Skaftafellsjökull, before going up the steep hill side at the large gully. After a little scrambling this continues to a ridge and then along up the ridge. A small amount of descending then contouring around is needed to avoid the Svelfaskardh summit. On the traverse the scree which is in the shade was frozen solid and there were patches of hard snow to cross. On reaching the far side of the col we climbed by a small frozen stream, up to a cirque and from here onward we would be above  the snowline. When we had passed the rocks and reached the main snow slope, here we put on our crampons and harnesses. We ascended up the first snow slope and at the top we roped up and agreed that I would go at the front.

The route passes the Western summit on the North side. Although there were only a few signs of it, we had been warned this area can have rock falls and to avoid stopping here. We walked between the summit and a large crevasse, to avoid other crevasses we passed under the seracs, although still a considerable distant away them. There was then a broad ridge and a final summit slope where the gradient for the last time increases leading to a narrow snow ridge for the summit. At the summit we took a few photos and radioed our friends to let them know.

For the descent I said Alfreð could lead the way down. As we reached the bottom of the summit slope Alfreð stumbled slightly but did jot fall, he had found a deep patch of snow. As I passed the same point I moved slightly to the side, I was attempting to avoid this patch but I also sank in a little. After a little prodding with my ice axe, a small crevasse was revealed only about 20 cm wide. This confirmed what we had thought (and been told) that the area could have snow covered crevasses.

We continued to the same point where we had roped up and untied before packing the rope away. I had carried it up and so Alfreð offered to carry it down which I gladly accepted.

On the way down we followed the same route back, walking down with a beautiful sunset and views over Svínafellsjökull and Skaftafellsjökull.

The last section back to the truck was a little longer than we remembered, and it was getting dark.

In the end it was 21.3 km with over 2,025 m ascent and took us 13 hrs 17 mins.

I was very pleased to reached the summit and have such fine weather. I had been waiting for the opportunity and it was something in Iceland I really wanted to do.

A thank you to Fannar, Tom and Sam who all gave advice on the route.