User:Lgcooldude/Firoinumverndarifjall



Firðinumverndarifjall is a 751 meter high mountain near Grenivik, Iceland. It is close to the intersection of road 83 and road 835. The name of the mountain roughly translates to "Fjord Protector Mountain" in Icelandic. This mountain is also called Stórihnjúkur, and the name is disputed widely by farmers in the Grenivik area. The mountain is famous among hikers for its "horrid weather" and "dreaded false summit." From the church and ancient farm of Laufas, the mountain is described as "a perfectly symmetrical pyramid, luring unsuspecting hikers into its unexplored abyss with its utter beauty." In winter, the mountain´s peak is covered in snow, and only experienced rock climbers can pass. However, the false summit of Lærlingurverndari is an "amazing, however strenous, climb suitable for experienced hikers."

History
Firðinumverndarifjall was christened such on April 12, 1921 by a farmer named Jónatan Arngrímsson living below it. However, in 1942, many local farmers revolted against the name, insisting that the name "Fjord Protector" would encourage people to hike it to see the view. However, at the time, many people thought climbing was destoying the natural scenery of this region, and suggested the name Stórihnjúkur, after a nordic war hero who had once visited Grenivik. This war of names is still going on, and for that reason you will see different names for this mountain on different maps of the region. Nowadays, very few people climb Firðinumverndarifjall, but the infamous conflict surrounding it will "stay fresh in any area man's mind forever."

Accessibility
Firðinumverndarifjall is directly off road 83 in Iceland, about 8 miles south of Grenivik, Iceland. It is about 1 kilometer south of Laufás, an ancient church and farm, open to the public. It is accessible directly from the road, but there is also a private drive that goes to the base of the mountain. There are no public restrooms, benches, or tables, and it is about a one and a half mile hike, as the bird flies, from 83. During that time, you gain around 730 meters in your acsent.

The False Summit of Lærlingurverndari
Lærlingurverndari is the false summit that fools many hikers while hiking Firðinumverndarifjall that they are at the summit. However, they are in fact still around one half mile from the real summit, and still have to acsend around 100 meters. During cloudy days, the false summit is usually "surrounded by white" and, sadly, some hikers believe they have reached the summit and turn back. This hike, while shorter than the full hike to the top, still has amazing views of Eyjafjörður on a clear day.

Landscape of Firðinumverndarifjall
There are no trees on Firðinumverndarifjall. However, this mountain is covered in rocks and many types of alpine mosses, providing good stepping areas. During most times of the year, the parts closer to the summit, including the false summit, have areas of snow and ice.