It’s Underway!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I’m now in Iceland, and pleased to report that everything is going smoothly. I’m out here in the wilderness of this strange and beautiful land, but you can track me via GPS just like a tagged polar bear. If you zoom in on the map below, you’ll see that the highest number indicates my present position. You can also click here for the jumbo-sized version, which is more detailed.
Iceland is an extremely beautiful, weird and interesting place. I’ve already had some incredible photo opportunities, and am really excited for the rest of the trip.
Thank You
To everyone who has sponsored me on this project, I am humbled and greatly appreciative of every one of you. I could truly not do this without you. For those of you who opted for the original print sponsorship, I look forward to capturing an amazing image for you.*
I’d like to thank every one of my sponsors for making this trip much more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable.
While I am away, I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for both my family and myself… it will be a challenge for all of us. Even though they are not on the trip, they are affected by my absence.
Stay Tuned
I’m obviously not as connected as I normally am, but will try to post detailed updates here periodically. I’m also updating Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to check those if you’re interested in keeping tabs on what’s happening. Feel free to drop me a line, too, if you’d like. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to get back to you quickly, but I always appreciate hearing from people interested in the project.
More to come… Thanks again to all for your interest and support.
- Brian
*Please look for delivery in September as it will take time to process everything when I return in August.
The Story
I’ve been a photographer for almost 20 years, and have spent more than half of that time working on various writing projects. Three years ago, I decided to combine the two. Before long, I began receiving emails asking me when I was going to put together a book about my often bizarre and entertaining photographic journeys. After much thought and consideration, I opted to launch a new project instead of re-hashing my previous experiences. This would be an epic undertaking, an adventure long and exotic enough to yield a whole book’s worth of information. Deciding where to go was never an issue for me, as there’s one place I’ve always wanted to photograph but never had the chance.
I’ve always been fascinated with Iceland, even before I got heavily into landscape and wildlife photography. I find it mesmerizing — the people, the music, and especially the environment. After discussing the idea of a book project with my wife, I ultimately decided the best subject would be to explore the country as completely as I possibly could in a finite period of time. As an educator, I have my summers off, which makes it the ideal time to undertake a project of this magnitude. Summer also happens to be the time of year in Iceland with the best weather and most photographic opportunities. Everything fit perfectly.
Summer 2010 is now here, and I am currently in the midst of my 65 day journey through Iceland’s rugged landscape. Check back here periodically for news and updates while I’m gone, and I promise to share as much as I can once I’m back.
My Route
The original route I chose for this expedition was based on the clock. We live in a very clockwise orientated world… I assumed that finding the Ring Road and going west would be the most logical way to navigate the country. Until I started making my map of places I wanted to see. Most of the places I wanted to spend considerable time photographing were in the southern portion of the country. This would put my visit in the tail end of my trip, when in all likelihood my energy could be at a lower level than when I first begin this adventure. Logic dictated that I should begin my journey in an easterly motion that allowed me to hit the majority of my prime photographic spots first, rather than last.
My Journey will begin In Reykjavík where I will spend a few days getting acclimated to the environment; buy some fuel for my stove… because airlines are kind of particular about bringing that on an airplane. Because I’m known to have bizarre things happen to me, I will check in with Icelandic search and rescue, so they know that a crazy American will be wandering their country for 65 days with his backpack on.
After my time in the Reykjavík I will head inland to see Gulfoss, Geysir, and a few of the other attractions before hitchhiking or bussing my way back to the Ring Road seeing some of the attractions of the Skoga River Valley and working my way to Hella, where I will stay for a couple nights to refuel, shower, and prepare myself for the journey east.
From Hella it’s back inland to do some serious hiking, and spending 6 nights photographing Landmannalaugar and Thorsmörk before finding a ride into Skaftafell to refuel again.
By now, you’re probably starting to see a pattern. I’m working my way east, spending about 5-7 nights out in the wilderness photographing and hiking before tucking tail and running to civilization so I can refuel, charge gear, and write home. This is the method I’m going to employ for my entire trip around Iceland. As much as I’m really looking forward to seeing the landscape, and spending quality time making new images… I’m also looking forward to meeting people, and experiencing everything this country has to offer.
Over the course of my journey around Iceland, I’ll walk, bus, and hitchhike my way from point A to point B. Eventually in early August I will arrive back in Reykjavík, where I will take a deep breath and head south to the famous ‘Blue Lagoon’ where I will soak my travel weary body all day long before getting a flight back to the United States, and starting the real work of the project: writing the book.
What I’ve Got With Me
Any expedition of this kind requires gear. Lots of gear. Below is a list of what I’ve brought along for the trek.
My standard setup, which I’ve brought, generally consists of the following:
- Canon 5D
- Canon 17-40L Lens
- Canon 100-400L Lens
- Gitzo tripod legs and ballhead
- Singh-Ray Filters
Since I’m out in the elements and on foot most of the way, I have to travel light and efficiently. Here’s what I’ve got with me:
- Jetboil Stove (with coffee press)
Small, and efficient. I LOVE this stove.
- Kelty Backpack
Lots of pockets and places to attach more gear
- Steripen Water Purification System
Light, and works easy in Nalgene bottles
- Black Diamond Headlamp
- Luxury Lite Hiking “Survival” Stick
Super light, and sturdy… Plus, it’s sharp on one end.
- Sea to Summit Backpack Cover
Works awesome… and because I’m risking rain daily, I need dry gear.
- Mountain Hardware 25/40 Flip Sleeping Bag (warmer nights 40 degree bag, colder nights 25 degree bag.)
I’ve used this bag in very cold weather, and it’s worked amazingly well. It’s also compact and light.
Iceland is cold, hence the name. I plan to keep myself alive and reasonably comfortable with the following:
- Wigwam makes all the socks I wear for any outdoor photography. I’ve never had an uncomfortable blister when I’ve had them on. Best socks on earth.
- Marmot Precip Shell. Wind and rainproof lightweight shell, with options for allowing more air circulation. It’s a great jacket.
- Under Armor base layer. It’s light, and keeps me warm in a variety of conditions.
No trip to a far-off land would be complete without some electronic gadgetry. To stay sane and connected, I’ve brought the following:
- 32GB iPod Touch
Music, games (to play when I’m stuck in a tent in the rain), microphone, and email ability… all necessary for a more enjoyable expedition.
- HyperDrive Colorspace UDMA (120GB)
This will allow me to safely store my images while in the field, and cut the cost of having to buy and keep track of 30 memory cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve received more than a few questions about this trip over the past several months. Below, I’ve attempted to answer all the usual questions with my usual answers. If you have any questions of your own, you may of course contact me directly.
Why are you doing this?
I’ve wanted to write a book, and undertake a large photography project like this for a long time. This opportunity came across at a great time for me, and I’m lucky to have a family that understands my goals and is graciously compromising their schedules to allow me to work on this goal.
Why Iceland?
In junior high school I started listening to some music from the country, and it spawned my interest in the country. When I did some research, I was just fascinated by the beauty of the landscape there… and it’s been a fascination that has grown ever since. I’ve always wanted to go to this country but its remoteness never made it an option for any of my other trips to Europe. Landscape wise it’s been the top of my photography ‘Bucket List’ for years… but I didn’t want to go unless I had proper time to devote to doing it right.
Isn’t there, like, a giant volcano that just erupted over there?
Yes, but that’s not going to stop me.
How are you getting there?
Plane. I’m flying out of Sacramento to Seattle, where I’ll spend 11 hours stuck in the airport before flying to Boston and on to Reykjavik, Iceland.
How long are you going to be there?
65 days. Like I mentioned, time wise this is a huge commitment. Without the support and help from my entire family, this would not be possible.
You’re crazy… do you know how cold it’s going to be? How are you going to survive?
I’m taking precautions for every type of weather. I will be spending most of my time along the coast where the temperatures will be more mild… but wind and rain are always an issue so I’m taking every precaution to ensure I stay dry, and warm.
What are your biggest fears about this trip?
I have a lot of them. I’m afraid, obviously, that I’ll get injured and just lay somewhere and die. I’m worried something beyond my control will happen at home, and I’ll be thousands of miles away, unknowing or unable to respond. I’m just praying a lot that God will take care of those things, and that this project will go smoothly, because really so very much of it is beyond my control. I’m also afraid of stumbling across a hungry polar bear that washed up from Greenland and finds me as his first opportunity to eat.
How are you going to reload your gear while you’re in the country?
I’ll be staying at hotels and an occasional hostel when I need to refill my gear, and charge my camera equipment. I’m lucky to be partnering with Reykjavik Hotels and Fosshotel which have both graciously allowed me to stay at their hotels – which I will use as temporary base camps as I move around the country. I will be sending a parcel of items I need to these locations and when I arrive, I will be able to get a night or two of quality rest, charge my equipment, contact home, and do some other types of promotional work for these companies. I’m very excited about this partnership… it should be great.
How are you going to move around the country?
The original plan was to walk the whole thing. I still plan on walking as much as I can. I figure I’ll log 500-600 miles or more with my feet. However, there are numerous places I want to see in the interior of the country… and if I simply relied on my feet, I would miss out on a large part of the scenery and overall experience of the country because I would be too tired to do much else. During some portions of this trip I will be taking a bus, or hitchhiking in order to arrive at a destination on time.
What if you get sick?
I’ll be stuck in my tent, miserable.
Where are you going to, you know… “use the restroom” out in the wild?
My plan is to be near a campground with proper facilities, if possible. If I’m not, well… you’ll have to read the book to see what happens.
Project Iceland
It’s Underway!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I’m now in Iceland, and pleased to report that everything is going smoothly. I’m out here in the wilderness of this strange and beautiful land, but you can track me via GPS just like a tagged polar bear. If you zoom in on the map below, you’ll see that the highest number indicates my present position. You can also click here for the jumbo-sized version, which is more detailed.
Iceland is an extremely beautiful, weird and interesting place. I’ve already had some incredible photo opportunities, and am really excited for the rest of the trip.
Thank You
To everyone who has sponsored me on this project, I am humbled and greatly appreciative of every one of you. I could truly not do this without you. For those of you who opted for the original print sponsorship, I look forward to capturing an amazing image for you.*
I’d like to thank every one of my sponsors for making this trip much more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable.
While I am away, I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers for both my family and myself… it will be a challenge for all of us. Even though they are not on the trip, they are affected by my absence.
Stay Tuned
I’m obviously not as connected as I normally am, but will try to post detailed updates here periodically. I’m also updating Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to check those if you’re interested in keeping tabs on what’s happening. Feel free to drop me a line, too, if you’d like. I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to get back to you quickly, but I always appreciate hearing from people interested in the project.
More to come… Thanks again to all for your interest and support.
- Brian
*Please look for delivery in September as it will take time to process everything when I return in August.
The Story
I’ve been a photographer for almost 20 years, and have spent more than half of that time working on various writing projects. Three years ago, I decided to combine the two. Before long, I began receiving emails asking me when I was going to put together a book about my often bizarre and entertaining photographic journeys. After much thought and consideration, I opted to launch a new project instead of re-hashing my previous experiences. This would be an epic undertaking, an adventure long and exotic enough to yield a whole book’s worth of information. Deciding where to go was never an issue for me, as there’s one place I’ve always wanted to photograph but never had the chance.
I’ve always been fascinated with Iceland, even before I got heavily into landscape and wildlife photography. I find it mesmerizing — the people, the music, and especially the environment. After discussing the idea of a book project with my wife, I ultimately decided the best subject would be to explore the country as completely as I possibly could in a finite period of time. As an educator, I have my summers off, which makes it the ideal time to undertake a project of this magnitude. Summer also happens to be the time of year in Iceland with the best weather and most photographic opportunities. Everything fit perfectly.
Summer 2010 is now here, and I am currently in the midst of my 65 day journey through Iceland’s rugged landscape. Check back here periodically for news and updates while I’m gone, and I promise to share as much as I can once I’m back.
My Route
The original route I chose for this expedition was based on the clock. We live in a very clockwise orientated world… I assumed that finding the Ring Road and going west would be the most logical way to navigate the country. Until I started making my map of places I wanted to see. Most of the places I wanted to spend considerable time photographing were in the southern portion of the country. This would put my visit in the tail end of my trip, when in all likelihood my energy could be at a lower level than when I first begin this adventure. Logic dictated that I should begin my journey in an easterly motion that allowed me to hit the majority of my prime photographic spots first, rather than last.
My Journey will begin In Reykjavík where I will spend a few days getting acclimated to the environment; buy some fuel for my stove… because airlines are kind of particular about bringing that on an airplane. Because I’m known to have bizarre things happen to me, I will check in with Icelandic search and rescue, so they know that a crazy American will be wandering their country for 65 days with his backpack on.
After my time in the Reykjavík I will head inland to see Gulfoss, Geysir, and a few of the other attractions before hitchhiking or bussing my way back to the Ring Road seeing some of the attractions of the Skoga River Valley and working my way to Hella, where I will stay for a couple nights to refuel, shower, and prepare myself for the journey east.
From Hella it’s back inland to do some serious hiking, and spending 6 nights photographing Landmannalaugar and Thorsmörk before finding a ride into Skaftafell to refuel again.
By now, you’re probably starting to see a pattern. I’m working my way east, spending about 5-7 nights out in the wilderness photographing and hiking before tucking tail and running to civilization so I can refuel, charge gear, and write home. This is the method I’m going to employ for my entire trip around Iceland. As much as I’m really looking forward to seeing the landscape, and spending quality time making new images… I’m also looking forward to meeting people, and experiencing everything this country has to offer.
Over the course of my journey around Iceland, I’ll walk, bus, and hitchhike my way from point A to point B. Eventually in early August I will arrive back in Reykjavík, where I will take a deep breath and head south to the famous ‘Blue Lagoon’ where I will soak my travel weary body all day long before getting a flight back to the United States, and starting the real work of the project: writing the book.
What I’ve Got With Me
Any expedition of this kind requires gear. Lots of gear. Below is a list of what I’ve brought along for the trek.
Small, and efficient. I LOVE this stove.
Lots of pockets and places to attach more gear
Light, and works easy in Nalgene bottles
Super light, and sturdy… Plus, it’s sharp on one end.
Works awesome… and because I’m risking rain daily, I need dry gear.
I’ve used this bag in very cold weather, and it’s worked amazingly well. It’s also compact and light.
Music, games (to play when I’m stuck in a tent in the rain), microphone, and email ability… all necessary for a more enjoyable expedition.
This will allow me to safely store my images while in the field, and cut the cost of having to buy and keep track of 30 memory cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve received more than a few questions about this trip over the past several months. Below, I’ve attempted to answer all the usual questions with my usual answers. If you have any questions of your own, you may of course contact me directly.
Why are you doing this?
I’ve wanted to write a book, and undertake a large photography project like this for a long time. This opportunity came across at a great time for me, and I’m lucky to have a family that understands my goals and is graciously compromising their schedules to allow me to work on this goal.
Why Iceland?
In junior high school I started listening to some music from the country, and it spawned my interest in the country. When I did some research, I was just fascinated by the beauty of the landscape there… and it’s been a fascination that has grown ever since. I’ve always wanted to go to this country but its remoteness never made it an option for any of my other trips to Europe. Landscape wise it’s been the top of my photography ‘Bucket List’ for years… but I didn’t want to go unless I had proper time to devote to doing it right.
Isn’t there, like, a giant volcano that just erupted over there?
Yes, but that’s not going to stop me.
How are you getting there?
Plane. I’m flying out of Sacramento to Seattle, where I’ll spend 11 hours stuck in the airport before flying to Boston and on to Reykjavik, Iceland.
How long are you going to be there?
65 days. Like I mentioned, time wise this is a huge commitment. Without the support and help from my entire family, this would not be possible.
You’re crazy… do you know how cold it’s going to be? How are you going to survive?
I’m taking precautions for every type of weather. I will be spending most of my time along the coast where the temperatures will be more mild… but wind and rain are always an issue so I’m taking every precaution to ensure I stay dry, and warm.
What are your biggest fears about this trip?
I have a lot of them. I’m afraid, obviously, that I’ll get injured and just lay somewhere and die. I’m worried something beyond my control will happen at home, and I’ll be thousands of miles away, unknowing or unable to respond. I’m just praying a lot that God will take care of those things, and that this project will go smoothly, because really so very much of it is beyond my control. I’m also afraid of stumbling across a hungry polar bear that washed up from Greenland and finds me as his first opportunity to eat.
How are you going to reload your gear while you’re in the country?
I’ll be staying at hotels and an occasional hostel when I need to refill my gear, and charge my camera equipment. I’m lucky to be partnering with Reykjavik Hotels and Fosshotel which have both graciously allowed me to stay at their hotels – which I will use as temporary base camps as I move around the country. I will be sending a parcel of items I need to these locations and when I arrive, I will be able to get a night or two of quality rest, charge my equipment, contact home, and do some other types of promotional work for these companies. I’m very excited about this partnership… it should be great.
How are you going to move around the country?
The original plan was to walk the whole thing. I still plan on walking as much as I can. I figure I’ll log 500-600 miles or more with my feet. However, there are numerous places I want to see in the interior of the country… and if I simply relied on my feet, I would miss out on a large part of the scenery and overall experience of the country because I would be too tired to do much else. During some portions of this trip I will be taking a bus, or hitchhiking in order to arrive at a destination on time.
What if you get sick?
I’ll be stuck in my tent, miserable.
Where are you going to, you know… “use the restroom” out in the wild?
My plan is to be near a campground with proper facilities, if possible. If I’m not, well… you’ll have to read the book to see what happens.
Sponsors
I am thankful and honored to have a variety of fine companies and individuals supporting me as I prepare for this epic journey. If you have any questions about becoming a sponsor of Project Iceland, please get in touch.
A very big and heartfelt thank you to all my sponsors!
Corporate Sponsors
Individual Sponsors