Fruitful voluntary work in Thórsmörk last summer
11.11.2021
Autumn in Langidalur Thórsmörk. Photo: trailteam.is
We would like to thank all our volunteers for another amazing season out on the trails in Thórsmörk and Goðaland!
Despite the challenge of ongoing travel restrictions this summer, the Trailteam Volunteers were able to go ahead with their volunteer projects as planned, doing maintainance and conservation work in the Thórsmörk nature reserve area and surroundings. Applications for voluntary work next summer are open until December 15th.
This season we hosted 30 international volunteers and together our teams completed more than 170 weeks of practical work. As usual, our activities were focused on trail maintenance tasks and conservation projects in the area but our volunteers were also involved in practical projects at Tumastaðir Forestry Station where they worked with staff on tasks in the tree nursery and also helped with tree planting projects.
Once again our trail work in Thórsmörk focused on the busy paths on Valahnúkur where the teams returned to face the last few remaining difficult sections. As well as repairs to stone steps, the teams used forest timber to build several new sections of steps on both the east and west trails. In Goðaland, work centred on the Fimmvörðuháls trail with the main work sites close to Morinsheiði where work included repairing winter damage and improving drainage. This was particularly challenging as the sites are quite remote and a long walk out from our Básar volunteer camp.
We hope the teams enjoyed their time with us and would like to thank everyone for their hard work and support. Preparations for next season have now begun and 2022 placement details, including dates and application forms, will be available here on December 15th.
Text: Pétur Halldórsson