4WD SHORTY | Solo hiking a volcano in Iceland takes a scary turn
About this episode
A photographer tells the story of a last-minute detour to Iceland that turned into a solo multi-day hike with almost no gear, limited food, and no phone. He describes hitchhiking across remote landscapes, camping under a waterfall, crossing a glacier in normal boots, and worrying about getting stranded or falling into hidden ice holes. The conversation mixes humor with genuine tension as the hike becomes a test of improvisation and survival.
Salty Davenport talks through his close call while hiking in Iceland around the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
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Music by The Southern River Band.
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hitchhike
"So I was like, oh, I just try and hitchhike. And so the next morning I woke up and just walked out to the main road and started trying to hitchhike."
Hitchhiking means you ask strangers for a ride instead of taking a bus or tour. In places far from towns, it can be unpredictable and you may not know what kind of car or driver you’ll get.
Hitchhiking is relying on passing vehicles for transportation instead of using a scheduled service. In remote areas, it can be risky because you have little control over route, timing, or vehicle condition.
remote and middle of nowhere
"And we just start driving for an hour and the landscape's changing and all of a sudden pretty remote and middle of nowhere."
When you’re far from towns, help is harder to find and you might not see many cars. If something goes wrong with the ride or the route, it can take a long time to fix.
“Remote” travel changes the risk profile: fewer cars pass, limited cell coverage, and longer distances between help. For vehicles, it also means breakdowns or wrong turns can become serious quickly.
didn't have a phone
"I told the girl at the restaurant because I didn't have a phone. Told the girl at the restaurant."
If you don’t have a phone, you can’t easily call for help. That’s why it helps to tell someone your plan and agree on what to do if you don’t check in.
Not having a phone (or not having reliable service) directly impacts emergency communication. In remote outdoor travel, this is why people use check-in plans, share locations, and arrange a clear “if I don’t respond, get help” trigger.
safety check-in plan
"I was like, hey, no one knows where I'm going. Can I can I write my details down and I'll call you in three days time. And if you don't call me, send for help."
They’re basically making a plan for what happens if they don’t show up or can’t contact anyone. It’s a smart safety step for solo trips where you might be out of reach.
The speaker sets up a time-based safety check-in: share details, wait a few days, and escalate to help if there’s no contact. This is a common best practice for solo travel in remote areas where help may be delayed.
camped under this waterfall
"And then I camped under this waterfall. And I was like, all right, well, I guess I'll start walking in the morning."
Camping under a waterfall means you’re choosing a spot that can be dangerous if conditions change. When you’re far from help, it’s especially important to plan ahead and be ready for unexpected weather or problems.
Camping in a remote, potentially hazardous location changes the risk profile of the trip—weather, visibility, and terrain can turn quickly. For hikers, it’s a reminder that route planning and contingency plans matter as much as the hike itself.
wilderness
"And then when I went to sleep, I was like, having these thoughts. I'm like, I'm walking into the wilderness. Are there bears here?"
Wilderness means you’re far from towns and people. If something goes wrong, it can take a long time for help to reach you, so you need to be prepared.
“Wilderness” implies limited access to roads, services, and rescue. In solo travel, the key implication is that you must be self-sufficient for navigation, shelter, and risk management because help may not be nearby.
4WD Podcast
"Right. And so there's a few huts along the way you can stay out for safety and whatever. And yeah, walking along. And then all of a sudden I'm walking across this glacier..."
The show is about 4WD, which is basically about getting traction when roads or trails are slippery. In this story, the “slippery surface” problem is the same kind of challenge—just in a hiking setting instead of a car.
This episode is framed around the idea of 4WD (four-wheel drive) and how traction matters when conditions get extreme. Even though the segment is hiking-focused, the underlying theme is the same: when surfaces are slippery, you need the right grip and strategy to avoid getting stuck or losing control.
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