The Wonders of Iceland
The event is an informal, non-competitive and non-commercial event that consists of several days of off-roading, combined with social gatherings at local restaurants and drinking establishments.
This year’s event saw a large turnout despite forecasts for single-digit and lower temps, possible blizzard conditions and upwards of three feet of snowpack in the woods. Event organizer and host Bruce Fowler at one point even investigated the purchase of a front-end loader to help clear trails.
Friday night’s first group into the woods reported they covered about 1000 yards over the course of several hours only to turn around and head straight back out. They’d only succeeded in reaching the area where participants typically stop to air down tires and install snow chains.
Friday night there was a large social gathering at the Waterville Grand Hotel. I missed this by a long shot, arriving after much difficulty to the Fowler residence at 3:30 AM Saturday. A quick peek at the outside thermometer revealed the outside temperature to be negative 26°F. Which could explain the distinct lack of heat in my Range Rover Classic during the last few hours of the drive.
Saturday, most participants ate breakfast at “Big G’s,” where large portions rule the day and sandwiches purchased for later consumption out on the trails are big enough to last several days.