Got caught in a flash flood on a hike in the Faroe Islands

I was on the trail to the Kallur lighthouse on Kalsoy, which is a pretty quiet spot. The weather turned fast, and a small stream we crossed on the way up became a raging river on the way back. My partner and I were stuck on the wrong side, with the light fading. We ended up having to climb about 50 meters up the steep, soggy hillside to find a narrower spot to jump across, getting completely soaked and muddy. It added two extra hours to the hike in near dark. The lesson was that in those islands, a 'small stream' on the map is just a suggestion. Has anyone else had a trail in a remote place turn dangerous because of sudden weather?

3 comments

3 Comments

hugotaylor2d ago

Man, that's why I always check the rain upstream before crossing.

grant3472d ago

People forget to check upstream in their own lives too.

the_iris2d ago

Ever had a creek swell so fast you could actually watch it rise? I got pinned by one in the Rockies for like three hours once.