The Ford Journals 1.5.2

Into The Depths (Part 2)

Author

Ford Scripps
February 20th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

Episode 5 (Part II): Into the Depths

Before Reading

  1. Þríhnúkagígur (Thrihnukagigur) Volcano: The only volcano in the world where you can descend into its magma chamber. Dormant for roughly 4,000 years.

  2. The Icelandic Sagas: Historical narratives that often blend reality and myth, containing coded knowledge passed through generations

  3. Ring Road: Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) is a 821 mile road that circles the entire country. Taking you through many major towns, waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanic landscapes. It’s the ultimate road trip route offering some of the most stunning scenery on earth.

  4. Viking Runes & Norse Symbols: Ancient carvings that sometimes served as messages, navigation tools, or warnings

Back at The Reykjavík Edition, I stared at the scratched metal plate from the plane wreck. The symbols were simple—too simple.

  1. A triangle

  2. MMMM

  3. A staircase

I took a slow sip of my Negroni.

“Triangle? That’s easy—volcano. Iceland’s basically made of them.”

I tapped my phone, scrolling through the usual suspects: Katla, Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull.

I paused at the last one.

Don’t try to pronounce that. I can’t either.

Now, the MMMM.

“Is it initials? A company? Some old Norse name? …No, wait—Roman numerals.”

I am no expert in Roman numerals, but I know M transcribes to 1,000. Meaning it was 4,000.

I exhaled. It wasn’t a name. It was a number.

A quick google search of “volcano + 4,000” pulled up Þríhnúkagígur. Dormant for 4,000 years.

That got my attention.

The staircase? That clicked into place too—Þríhnúkagígur is the only volcano in the world you can descend into.

“Looks like I’ve got a date with a volcano.”

A DESCENT INTO A MAGMA CHAMBER

I booked a tour—not because I planned on sticking with the group, but because it was the only way down.

I arrived, but no volcano to be seen. I learned we had to hike across barren lava fields to get to our base camp before climbing the volcano to drop in. It was a little under a 2 mile walk, with extreme fog, cold rain, and about 25-30 mph cross winds from the northeast to the southwest. It enhanced the experience.

At base camp, we had some incredible lamb soup to warm up before hiking up to the top of the volcano.

The crater opened up into a vast magma chamber, streaked with ochre, crimson, and volcanic black.

The group loaded up 3 people at a time, along with the cable lift operator. The cable lift rattled as we descended. Suspended in a metal carrier, I dropped into Thrihnukagigur, the only volcano in the world you can actually step inside.

Once we got down to the ground inside the chamber, first, I had to soak it in. I was now finding myself in one of the rarest places in the world, the only volcanic chamber that can be entered in the world. Looking up was incredible, it reminded me of looking up, but being able to see the galaxies, it’s hard to explain.

We we’re given about 25 minutes to free roam and look around the chamber. This was my opportunity. I started looking.

25 minutes in, still nothing. Time was running out.

We were called to return to the cable lift. I started frantically looking faster as I returned to the lift.

Then, near a jagged rock face, my headlamp caught something. I saw it—a rune, carved deep into the volcanic wall.

I crouched, brushing my fingers over it. A faint etching caught my eye—something faded but it was the smoothness of the rock that caught my attention at first.

Three engravings stared me right in my face. Anything but natural.

I quickly snapped a picture, adjusting the light, before the guide called out for everyone to hop back on the lift.

On the ride back up I looked more closely at the picture:

  • A Compass Rose, tilted slightly off-center

  • Roman Numerals: VII IV IX

  • A Carved Sun with an Elongated Shadow

The compass rose wasn’t pointing north. The numerals were stacked in an unusual way, almost out of sync.

And the elongated shadow of the carved sun—was it a hint.

SOMETHING WASN’T RIGHT

When I was down there I secondary flash caught my eye, a low rumble trembled through the cavern as I was loading back onto the lift. A loose rock shifted slightly, and I did noticed someone else around the same area I had been, it was peculiar.

The sundial wasn’t just a clue—it was part of something.

And I had the hunch of I don’t think I was alone looking for that clue.

That evening, hours later I was checked in to my hotel for the night, ION Adventure hotel, sitting in the Northern Lights Bar, having a low key dinner.

I had a lot to think about. I was closing out and asked the waiter for the check. He brought it over, and as I opened it another envelope slid out. I looked up at my bartender, and asked what it was.

The bartender, looked lost, and had no clue, he said someone paid the bill and left. But he never saw who it was. I scanned the restaurant and saw someone with a hood on walking quickly to the door, as I got up to chase, they picked up there pace, and had enough of a lead to lose me. As I approached the parking lot it was the same camper van as before peeling out onto the road.

The note remained though unopened. I exhaled, stepped back inside, and unfolded the parchment.

Two things were inside.

  1. A single phrase, handwritten in red ink: “You’re closer than you think, But so are they. Watch the water”

  2. A tiny hand-drawn sketch of…a fortress

FORD’S HOTEL JOURNAL ENTRY FOR ION ADVENTURE HOTEL

❝

The ION Adventure Hotel is situated on Mount Hengill, while active, hasn’t erupted in about 2,000 years and is not expected to erupt for another 2,000 years. There are hotels that offer luxury. There are hotels that offer adventure. And then there’s ION Adventure Hotel, which somehow manages to do both without breaking a sweat.

Perched on the edge of a moss-covered lava field in Thingvellir National Park, the place looks like it was dropped here straight from a futuristic novel. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch across the property, pulling in every ounce of Iceland’s rugged beauty—snow—capped mountains, steaming geothermal pools, and the eerie glow of the midnight sun in summer.

The rooms? Minimalist, but not in the cold, sterile way. Think Scandinavian design meets survivalist chic. Earthy tones, sustainable materials, and a bed so comfortable it makes you rethink every life choice that led you to sleeping anywhere else.

But let’s be real—the real reason you stay here if for the Northern Lights Bar. Suspended above lava fields, encased in glass, it’s where you sip an Icelandic cocktail and watch the auroras dance across the sky (have to be there during the winter months typically). If there’s a better way to feel like you’ve left Earth entirely, let me know.

Then there’s the adventure factor—wake up, strap on some gear, and within minutes, you could be snorkeling between tectonic plates, scaling glaciers, or ATV-ing across black sand beaches. No frills, no gimmicks—just pure Icelandic wilderness, with a high-end retreat waiting for you at the end of the day.

Not every hotel makes you feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world. This one does.

HIDDEN HIGHLIGHT

While the Blue Lagoon may be Iceland’s most famous geothermal bath, the true hidden gem lies in the secluded, futuristic Ion Adventure Hotel. Tucked into the rugged wilderness, their private geothermal lagoon offers an intimate, steamy escape with uninterupted views of the Northern landscape. Picture this: you’re soaking in the mineral rich waters, a crisp breeze in the air, and not a single tourist in sight. Just silence of the Icelandic highlands, the glow of the midnight sun, and the occasional ripple from your Negroni.

Photo Credit: ION Adventure Hotel

ON THE HORIZON…

“The Balearic sun. Clifftop fortresses. And a centuries-old secret buried beneath the Mediterranean.

Next stop: Mallorca.

But I don’t think I’m the only one heading there.”

OTHER HOTELS FORD WOULD RECOMMEND TO CHECK OUT IN ICELAND

If touring around Ring Road around Iceland, and not basing in Reykjavik, there are many breath-stopping AirBNB’s to rent, but also hotels definitely worth staying at, here are 2 hotels for you to look into.

  • Deplar Farm - Troll Peninsula: Where do billionaires and reclusive adventurers go when they want to disappear? here. Tucked into the remote Troll Peninsula, Deplar Farm isn’t just a stay—it’s an experience money can barely buy. Think private helicopter, geothermal pools, and a lodge so exclusive, you half expect a Bond villain to show up. This is where you go when the outside world needs to wait.

    • Best For: High-net worth travelers, adventure junkies, and those who want Iceland’s wilderness without sacrificing five-star indulgence.

    • Must Have Experience: Heli-skiing straight from the lodge, Arctic surfing, and sipping a Negroni in the infinity pool while watching reindeer roam by. You won’t forget it.

  • Hotel Ranga - South Iceland: If Deplar Farm is for those who want to escape society, then Ranga is for those who just want to escape noise. Cozy log-cabin vibes, a killer gourmet restaurant, and outdoor hot tubs made for Northern Lights spotting—this is where rustic luxury meets just enough civilization.

    • Best For: Couples , stargazers, and travelers who want an authentic yet luxurious Icelandic lodge experience.

    • Must Have Experience: Dinner at Ranga’s restaurant, known for its reindeer carpaccio, Icelandic langoustine, and a chance to sip on birch-fused cocktails under the aurora.

5 EPIC EXPERIENCES FORD RECOMMENDS

(Because let’s be honest—no one comes to Iceland to sit still)

  • ATV Riding on Black Sand Beach: If Mad Max had a vacation home, it’d be here. Picture this: volcanic sands stretching for miles, the roaring Atlantic on one side, jagged cliffs on the other, and nothing but the sound of your ATV tearing across the terrain. This is the kind of ride that reminds you why adventure exists.

  • Descending Into a Dormant Volcano: There are underground clubs, and then there’s inside-the-Earth VIP status—and this is the latter. Iceland is the only place in the world where you can literally descend into a volcano, and no, it’s not filled with lava (I checked for you). What you’ll find instead is a massive, cathedral-like magma chamber in Thihnukagigur, with walls streaked in red, purple, and deep volcanic black. One of the most insane, humbling, and cinematic things you can do in your lifetime.

    • Pro tip: Book with Inside The Volcano.

  • Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates: Let’s get one thing straight: this water is cold. But if you can handle a little glacial chill on your face and lips, you’ll be rewarded with some of the clearest and cleanest water on Earth— visibility up to 100 meters. Here’s the kicker: you’re swimming between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Technically, you’re touching two continents at once, which makes this the ultimate flex for geography nerds and adventure junkies alike.

  • Horseback Riding on Lava Fields (Because Icelandic Horses are built different): Icelandic horses aren’t just cute—they’re genetic marvels. These fluffy little tanks have been pure-bred for over 1,000 years—no other horse breeds are allowed in Iceland, and if an Icelandic horse leaves, it can never return. Why? To prevent disease and keep thier legendary fifth gait, the tolt, look it up —it’s runs smoother than your mom’s minivan. They are the Rolls-Royce of horse rides—the tolt is so balanced you could ride it while holding a full beer, add a volcanic backdrop, and all of a sudden you feel like you’re in a movie.

    • Pro Tip: Eldhestar Riding Tours in South Iceland, oh, and don’t call them ponies, they don’t like that.

  • Glacier Hiking on Solheimajokull (A literal walk through time): Glaciers aren’t just frozen water. They’re massive, moving time capsules, holding thousands of years of history in their icy grip. Walking on one is like stepping onto another planet— cracks groan beneath your boots, deep blue crevasses stretch into the oblivion, and every step reminds you that nature is both stunning and completely indifferent to your survival. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert mountaineer—just strap on some crampons, grab an ice axe (cause it looks cool), and pretend you’re in an Arctic expedition movie.

    • Pro Tip: Don’t wander off the guided path, Falling into an ice crevasse is a one-way ticket to becoming a fossil.

  • Midnight Golf Under the Arctic Sun: Golfing at midnight? Sounds like something out of a Bond film, but in Iceland, it’s just another summer night. Thanks to the Midnight Sun, you can tee off at 11 PM and still have plenty of daylight to embarrass yourself on the back nine. If you don’t think this is adventurous enough, talk to me while Arctic Terns will throw hands, or in this case, wings, and try to attack you and you have to walk down the fairway with your 7 iron above your head waving it in the air, then talk to me.

    • Pro Tip: Book Brautarholt Golf Course, it’s the closest option, but make sure winter didn’t run late, or the course will be, well, completely in casual water.

THROUGH THE KEYHOLE

A former military fortress transformed into a five-star retreat, this boutique hotel offers secluded luxury, endless sea views, and whispers of the past hidden within its walls.

Always seeking the extraordinary,

Join me on the journey to uncover the world’s most extraordinary boutique stays.

The Ford Journals blends fictional storytelling with real-world travel experiences and inspiration, spotlighting exceptional boutique hotels and unique destinations. All hotels details are accurate at the time of writing; we recommend confirming with the property for the latest updates. Some features may involve partnerships, but all opinions remain unbiased and reflect our commitment to showcasing only the finest experiences.

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