White and back Mývatn
The storm arrived with a force that seemed to erase all colour from the world. As I woke up at the Myvatn lakeside, I was greeted by a surreal scene where all the once menacing black lava formations were now softened and covered by a pristine blanket of snow, transforming the entire landscape into a mesmerizing black and white panorama. Today, the usually rough and sharp lava rocks and the meandering black sandy paths were obscured by a glistening layer of snow, creating a stark yet beautiful contrast against the dark volcanic terrain.
I climbed the Hverfjall volcano crater, with black sand mixed with the snow on the path up. When I reached the top, I hoped to see a magical lake landscape, but a sudden snowstorm obscured the entire view, leaving me surrounded by whiteness. Unbothered by the path's zigzags, I ran straight down the crater, with the path markings somewhere there, covered by the thick snow under me. My boots, calves, and sometimes tights sank deep into the snow, so I half ran, half tumbled down the slope, leaving behind a shaky line in the undisturbed snow covering the whole crater. Then, I made my way through the Dimmuborgir lava field, ploughing through the deep snow and losing sight of the path hidden deep under the snow. There was no sound but the honking of the geese flying past above my head. The area was pristine, untouched by another traveller; step by step, I meticulously carved my path through the snow, surrounded by colossal black rock formations. Seeking respite from the fierce winds and snowstorms, I sought shelter in the dark volcanic caves dotting the landscape.
Myvatn, Iceland.
Photo by Agata Melnyk
