The Kerlingarfjöll mountain range in Iceland looks little like the familiar landscapes of this northern country. American photographerBrendan Lynchvisited the area and took remarkable photographs of its barren hills.
Brendan Lynch(Brendan Lynch)is a photographer from the state of Connecticut, USA. In recent years he has balanced his creative work with a job as a medical professional in an emergency department. Life in New England gives him ample opportunity for hiking and exploring the natural world. On hiswebsite he shares photographs not only of nature but also of people. He also creates mixtapes from tracks by young and independent musicians. Lynch's photographs can be found on other platforms too, for example on Instagram and Flickr.
His series of photographs in the Kerlingarfjöll mountains (Kerlingarfjöll) reveals a rather different Iceland. And while it remains as it always has been — aesthetically desolate — the country is not immediately recognisable in these images.
"The only reminders of human presence here are barely visible staircases cut into the hillsides, and small bridges that blend into the landscape, thrown across the streams"
There are none of the familiar green and black expanses or blue glaciers — instead, smooth, gentle ochre mountains appear, their slopes in places dusted with what looks like freshly fallen snow. Light wisps of steam rising from underground drift like haze between the peaks, while pale blue streams rush along the base of the hills. The only reminders of human presence are barely visible staircases cut into the hillsides, and small bridges that blend seamlessly into the landscape, spanning the streams. Since 2000, a resort has been open in the Kerlingarfjöll mountains, where guests can hire equipment.
Kerlingarfjöll is a volcanic mountain range. Its origins account for the presence of hot springs and numerous streams. The volcanoes of this range belong to a very rare type known as tuyas — formed when lava breaks through a thick glacier. The rapidly cooling magma accumulates, building steep hillsides and a flat summit.
To continue exploring Iceland, we invite you to take in its snow-covered winter landscapes or watch a surfer conquering the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. It is also worth remembering that it is not only Iceland's nature that is remarkable, but also its towns and the people who inhabit them. And since we have been talking about mountain resorts, it is worth mentioning our article on hotels with mountain views.
