There are more sheep than humans in Iceland. Up here on Rauðanúpur on Melrakkaslétta yesterday, I came across these five sheep in front of Jón Trausta and Karl, the two cliffs that stand north of Rauðanúpur. The atmosphere is unique by the Arctic Ocean. Many people think the Melrakkaslétta, the northernmost part of Iceland, is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Especially when the weather is as good as it has been all summer. It is nearly possible to live there during the winter, and almost all the year-round settlements have been deserted. According to Statistics Iceland, there were 401,022 sheep in Iceland last year, 35,000 more than the population of Iceland. About 350 people now live on the entire Melrakkaslétta, between Kópasker and Raufarhöfn. It only takes eight hours plus to drive from the capital north to Rauðanúp. The gannet still sits on Jón Trausti’s 75-meter high cliff.
The pillar still sits on Jón Trausti’s 75-meter high cliff.
Melrakkaslétta 26/08/2021 15:44: A7R III / FE 1.8 / 14mm GM
Photo and text: Páll Stefánsson
