Wet and Wild

With any trip, one needs to consider the weather, your planned activities, and then pack accordingly.

You and me and rain on the skylight, Plitvice, Croatia, May 2014

If you're going to sit on an island beach for a week, some tshirts, shorts and swimsuits may suffice. Along with flip flops, sunglasses and a hat.

If you're going on a cruise - as we did last year - there may be some dress code requirements you need to accommodate. On our cruise, men were expected to wear jackets to dinner. This then begets shoes, shirts, slacks, etc. Women needed a whole set of outfits, with the appropriate shoes and bags to match.

We have had two trips with heavy duty packing requirements. In our month-long trip out West in 2012, the weather ranged from snow in Grand Teton to oven-like in Death Valley, and from hiking gear in Bryce to resort chic in Napa and Las Vegas. Plus, we were away for a month. We took a lot of stuff.

Our trip last year to Hawaii was equally complex for me, as I spent four days in Yosemite in a photography workshop, then met Sally in San Francisco and went straight to Hawaii. So I needed all my workshop equipment, outdoor garb suitable for Yosemite in the fall, and resort wear for Hawaii. I took too much stuff.

In many ways, Iceland will be simple. The weather appears to be consistent during the 12 days we'll be there: expected highs in the low 50s, lows in the mid 40s, and rain on 70% of the days. Occasionally very heavy rain. Plus lots of spray from waterfalls. So, cold and damp is the order of the day. Layers which can go on and off as the weather changes are the strategy.

So a waterproof jacket with hood and shoes are a must. I'll bring my hiking boots, and Sally is trying out a new pair of waterproof hiking sneakers. From reviewing trip reports and YouTube videos, many people appear to have rain pants as well - we don't, although my hiking pants are synthetic and dry quickly. Not so my jeans ... .

Typical summer garb in Iceland, May 2016

For warmth, typical hiking/skiing layering: top and bottom base layer, lightweight and compressible quilted jacket, wool hat and gloves.

We'll need bathing suits for the hot springs and Blue Lagoon.

Typical summer garb everywhere else, May 2016

The usual assortment of undergarments, shirts, sneakers, and an extra pair of jeans will mostly complete the set for me. Maybe a sweater. Fortunately, we really don't need any fancy stuff.

And Sally keeps asking: exactly why are we going here?

 

Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans