Let’s dispel the doubts (or hopes) – YES, IT’S GOING TO BE COLD. For some reason this is ICEland, meaning no more or less than ICE LAND. 🙂 Got that? Good! Now, having clarified this basic issue we can proceed to packing 😉
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Packing list for camping in Iceland
What you will need:
- wind and waterproof tent
- sleeping bag with a comfort zone a little below 0 degrees Celsius (it was around 6 degrees during the day and -3 degrees Celsius during the night. Combine it with a cold wind and humidity and you’ll get the answer if your sleeping bag is warm enough)
- thick sleeping pad
- your driving license and a credit card if you’re planning to rent a car (a driver should be over 25 years)
- thermos or a thermal mug
- mess tin & a spork
- pocket knife, matches or lighter
- handkerchiefs, toilet paper, protective lipstick, basic cosmetics (but not too much: remember that from now a crystal clear, ice-cold brook will be your bathroom)
- warm clothes, waterproof and windproof jacket
- trekking shoes
- hat, gloves, scarf or a buff
- thermal underwear
- two more pairs of socks
- body and hand (and toe) air activated warmers (really saved my life! especially during cold nights in a tent / car)
- camera with extra batteries and memory cards
- guidebook
Food (suggestions):
- power bars or chocolate
- Chinese soups
- oatmeal for breakfasts (with dried fruit and nuts)
- tea / instant coffee
- dried sausages
- bread
- butter, jam, humus, salami, hard cheese or whatever you like to make a sandwich with
(All above is easily accessible in rather cheap (cheap in Iceland) Bonus supermarket in Keflavik or Reykjavik)
What may be useful, but I didn’t use it:
- flashlight or headtorch – not necessary due to the polar day (see second picture below: 10 P.M. on a clock) – it’s going to get dark around midnight (we used to put up our tents and make a camp without any extra light after 11 P.M.)
- raincover for backpack (if you’re planning to hike a lot)
- sunglasses
- GPS (if you’re going to the interior of the country)
Life saving information:
- You can’t sleep at the Keflavik airport. A short nap while sitting is OK, but if you would only try to sleep on the floor get ready to be poked and kicked by the airport staff and security.
- Finding wood to make a fire can be challenging. I do not recommend to burn dried seaweed – it simply stinks. But as Iceland is a land of ice and fire, you will find a place to warm your meal without making real fire – we have developed a unique way to boil water on… a small steam geyser 🙂
- When driving to the North fjords get some fuel as often as possible. You never know when will be the next chance to do it again.
Stay WARM, POSITIVE and keep your eyes wide open. And whenever possible go to see PUFFINS. They’re so funny, odd and adorable! Personally: I was blown away 🙂
** Please take note that I’m definitely a warm weather person and low temperature makes me miserable. I simply can’t stand it! **
