79-year-old reaches 4,000th climb of Úlfarsfell

Sigmundur Stefánsson, 79, has completed his 4,000th climb of Úlfarsfell, a mountain on the boundary between Reykjavík and Mosfellsbær and one of the capital region’s most popular outdoor areas, mbl.is reports.

He credits regular exercise with helping him remain in good shape. “Mountain hikes have long since become an integral part of my life,” he said.

Sigmundur began climbing the mountain in 2005, making 42 trips that year. In 2006, he started planning and recording every outing. Since then, he has generally made more than 300 climbs a year, with the number increasing after he stopped working in 2013.

Living near the foot of Úlfarsfell has also made the hikes easier. He usually starts from a parking area just beyond the built-up area in the valley and reaches the summit in about half an hour. He most often goes to Hákinn on the western side of the mountain, which offers views over the city and the sea. He sometimes crosses to the eastern side, where a viewing platform near a communications mast on Stórahnúkur provides views towards the eastern mountains and south to the Reykjanes peninsula. At 296 metres, Stórahnúkur is the mountain’s highest point.

Sigmundur has made 184 trips so far this year and expects to reach 260 by New Year. That would leave him close to his personal record of 294 climbs, set in 2021.

He usually sets off at about 8am in summer and waits for daylight during the winter. He hikes on most days and completes the ascent and descent in about an hour, although he says he is beginning to slow down as he approaches 80. Crossing the mountain from Úlfarsárdalur to Mosfellsbær and back takes longer.

His 4,000th trip, on August 16, was accompanied by his wife, Hafdís Sigurgeirsdóttir, their daughter and grandchild, as well as several other family members and friends.

“Sport and exercise have always been very important to me,” Sigmundur said. He still takes part in athletics and competed in javelin and shot put at the Icelandic Championships for older age groups in Selfoss the previous weekend.

However, hiking remains his main activity. He says the walks give him time to think, including about his bridge games from the previous evening. In summer, he also enjoys observing the landscape and vegetation, including blue lupine fields and yellow dandelions, and listening to the neighing call of the hrossagaukur bird.