SYLRA 2025 DX EXPEDITION
Dates: 28th of May - 1st of June 2025 (Wednesday - Sunday)
(Ascension is on the 29th of May and is an Icelandic bank holiday)
Location:
Úlfljótsvatn Scouting Center
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bz9V55zBwK97NvRc7
Úlfljótsvatn is Iceland’s main scouting center, less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík. It’s located next to a national park, right on the volcanic rift (no volcanoes yet, don’t worry), surrounded by mountains, lava, “woodlands” and wonder (you’ll believe in huldufólk before you can say “Hjálp!”).
Accommodation:
We will be staying in adjacent houses, JB (south) and DSÚ (north).
JB has 8 available rooms, 4 beds in each room, 5 toilets, 2 showers, a living room and a kitchen on the ground floor.
DSÚ has 4 rooms, 8 beds each and 2 toilets.
https://ulfljotsvatn.is/adstada/
(only available in Icelandic)
The radioscout shack:
At Úlfljótsvatn the radio scouts have a small shack and a mast with a 3 band beam (10, 15 & 20m) that we have access to. There is also the option to put up a wire-antenna and portable equipment in other places, perfect for SOTA or wooden rowboat /MM. The lake is 3-5°C in May/June, so SOTA is warmer by far.
Weather conditions
Average temperatures are 5-8°C, sun 24/7, precipitation on the expected heavier side (60-100mm/month). Wind isn’t as heavy as by the coast but we advice thermal inner layer + wind-shielding outer layers, with fleece or thick sweaters as middle layers. Don’t forget your extremities! Gloves, hats, scarves, woolen socks, but as always; sunglasses and sunscreen (you never know).
Safety
The scouts are trained in first-aid, there is an AED device available, first-aid kits, but the nearest hospital is 20km away. Pharmacies will be closed Thursday 29th and limited hours during the weekend. If you’d like to learn more about Iceland and it’s lovely weather mood check out https://safetravel.is/ (also an app).
For weather https://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/areas/ , the northern lights forecast won’t be much good at this time.
If you want to travel before or after the DXpedition be aware that storm warnings are common during this time, information on road conditions can be found at: https://umferdin.is/en
Emergencies
Official emergency line is 112. Tell them (in this order); location, what happened, when, who are you, and do not hang up until the responder has deemed it safe.
Stores
Nearest village is Selfoss, 20km drive away. They have grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, tourist information offices, museums, traffic, you name it!
Other tips
Sleeping masks (it’s very bright this time of year) and earplugs (the environment is not loud but the birds are mating this time of year and the fun never stops when you’re making babies!).
And a mosquito net for your face (we have midges, some do bite, they sometimes don’t come out this early but if they do - better safe than sorry)
If there’s any questions don’t hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.