At 4.30 P.M., true start over the Fljótsdalsheiði. Map shows nearly straight line from east to west. Not travelled over now. We struck north-west-west; stiff rise for 45 minutes. Rotten ground, and cold air.
Reached first step at 5.10 P.M. Aneroid, 28·73; thermometer, 76°, on summit.
First view of Vatnajökull from Vegup (Vègúp? or Vegupp?), 6.20 P.M.
Aneroid, 27·92.
On the southern road (Aðalbólsvegr) the highest point of the divide was shown by aneroid 27·80.
7.30 P.M.—Reached midway height, water stagnates; presently the versant changed, and the Miðvegr (half-way) torrent flowed west to the great Jökulsá. Despite Varðas, lost way half-a-dozen times. Ground more and more rotten.
10.30 P.M.—Crossed boulder river, Eyvindará, and turned from north-west to south-west. Began descent.
11 P.M.—The western is the shortest, the Eastern Jökulsá being some 900 feet above the Lagarfljót. Crossed many streams divided by ridges.
N.B.—The Holkná (water of the rough stony field) is misplaced in the map. It is south of Eyríkstaðir, on opposite bank. Rode along river banks; air much warmer.
⊙ III. 12.40 P.M.—Beached Thorskagerði. Ferryman’s house newly built.