The Odin’s Eye: Langjokull Expedition (Film)
In 1953, a group of British scientists traversed the Icelandic Highlands to study and map glaciers. One of the glaciers the Cambridge Langjökull Expedition studied at the time disappeared in 2019. Seventy-one years after that scientific expedition, the Montanus duo circumnavigated the Langjökull glacier and filmed the breathtaking views of Iceland’s second-largest ice cap, which is sadly set to disappear over the next 100 years. Find their film, photos, and kit details here…
PUBLISHED Oct 3, 2024
Six years ago, in 2018, the Montanus duo crossed Iceland from north to south through the most remote part of the Highlands, creating the Iceland Divide, one of the most popular bikepacking routes in Iceland. They decided to go back again in the land of fire and ice when they learned about the 1953 Cambridge Langjökull Expedition, a scientific expedition consisting of geographers, geologists, and biologists aiming to study and map the glaciers of central-western Iceland. The British scientists mapped the Okjökull glacier, a small icecap in the southwest of the Highlands, which, in August 2019, was declared the first glacier to have retreated until it no longer existed.
Langjökull, the second largest glacier in Iceland, is going to go the same way due to warm winters with little snowfall followed by even warmer summers. Over the course of the past 150 years, the ice volume of Langjökull decreased from 248 kilometers cubed to under 170 kilometers cubed, and its area shrunk from 1,100 square kilometers to 800 square kilometers. Within a hundred years, the ice cap is very likely to melt away completely.
Upon learning this news, the Montanus duo decided to circumnavigate the Langjökull, creating a route to pay tribute to Iceland’s second-largest and filming its spectacular views before it disappears completely. They named the route Odin’s Eye in honor of the All-father of the Norse Pantheon, who sacrificed one of his eyes for his relentless quest for wisdom. The tale tells that the eye is buried deep with the glacier, in the heart of the icy landscapes of Iceland. Watch their film below:
FILMING EQUIPMENT
- Camera 1: Canon EOS R6 mark I
- Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM, Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM
- Camera Filter: Kit NiSi Swift True Color VND 1-9 stops (1-5 Stops VND + 4 Stop ND)
- Extra Batteries: 6X PATONA Platinum LP-E6NH 2250mAh
- Remote Control: Phottix Aion Trigger Wireless
- Camera 2: Canon EOS 250d (used only for photos)
- Lens: CANON EF 50MM F/1.8 STM, CANON EF-S 24MM F/2.8 STM
- Extra Batteries: 2X Newmowa BAT-LPE17-NMW 1240mAh
- Iphone: 14 Pro
- Drone: DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2)
- Drone Filters: Kit DJI ND (ND16/64/256)
- Power Bank 1: Vrurc 20.000 mAh
- Power Bank 2: Nestout 5000mAh
- Solar Panel: Goal Zero Nomad 7
- Tripod: SIRUI T-025SK Carbon
- Tripod for Iphone: Fidlock Vacuum mini tripod base
CAMPING EQUIPMENT
- Tent: MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2-Person
- Sleeping Bag: Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20F/-6C
- Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest Original Z Lite
- Pillow: Thermarest Air Head
- Cook kit: MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Mini stove kit + IsoPro fuel
- Eat kit: MSR Titanium Cup, Alpine Nesting Bowl, Titan Spork
- Water filter: MSR Hyperflow Micro Filter
- Collapsible water bottle: Platypus Platy Flasche (2 Liter)
- Knife: Morakniv Companion
- Headlamp: Diamond Black Spot 325
- Lighter: Montanus
- Straps: Voilè Rack Straps, 25in Aluminum Buckle, 25in Nylon Buckle
REPAIR KIT & TOOLS
- Latex: Stan’s Original Tubeless Sealant
- Chain Lubrificant: 60ml
- Spare Valves: 2x
- Spare Dérailleur Pulley: 1x
- Mini Straps: 2x Voile Straps Nano Series – 9in
- Chain tool: Topeak POWER LEVER PRO
- Extra chain links: 4 links
- Spare brake pads: 1 pair
- Spare shift cable: 1x
- Multi-function ratchet tool: Topeak Ratchet’n Roll Pro
- Multi-tool: Topeak MINI PT30
- Tubeless tire repair kit: Topeak Tubi Pod
- Spare tube: 29” MTB Tubolito tube
- Glueless patch kit: Topeak Rescue Box
- Pump: Topeak Racerocket HP Mini
- Multi-tool: Leatherman Juice XE6
- Core Remover: Stan’s Core Remover Tool
- Extras: a few turns of Duct Tape, an Eyebrows Tweezers, some meters of 3mm Polyester-Cord, 3x needles with some meters of Dyneema Sewing Thread and nylon thread.
Further Reading
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