Backpacking Through Iceland Highlands

ICELAND HIGHLANDS PROJECT



The Highlands of Iceland cover 40,000 km2. It’s one largest territories in Europe. The Highlands have never been inhabited or developed. The region is considered to be one of Europe’s last true wilderness. It is currently being threatened by Hydro development. The proposed Hyrdo construction includes the instalment of dams, power lines running through the central highlands, and paved maintenance roads.

PLEDGES

*Donations of any amount will be thanked by name in every blog entry we make pertaining to this expedition. We can't do this without you.

*Donations of $25 or more will be thanked by name in the credits to both our short film, and our virtual Reality film, and the prior.

*Donations of $50 or more will receive a signed 8x10 print of the Iceland Highlands from our expedition, and the prior.

*Donations of $100 or more will receive a signed 16x24 print of the Iceland Highlands from our expedition, and the prior.

*Donations of $250 or more will receive all of the prior pledges.The 16x24 print however, will be a single edition print (only one ever printed) with a special personalized message of gratitude on signed on the front or the back (your preference) of the canvas.

*Donations of $500 or more will receive a 24x36 metal or acrylic print, and the prior (with the exception of the 16x24 print).

*Donations of $1000 or more (holy smokes!) you will receive a 24x36 metal or acrylic print, all of the prior, as well as a personalized photo book full of snapshots, and journal entries from our entire expedition (not sold anywhere).

THE HIGHLANDS NATIONAL PARK

The Highlands National Park initiative  is attempting to establish a National Park to protect the entire Highlands area. With imminent threat of development from hydro companies, the National Park Initiative needs your help.

OUR GOAL

Ryan Richardson  and Hailey Playfair are attempting backpack across the entire country of Iceland through the entire Highlands (approximately 450+ kilometres) over the course of 25-30 days, this July 2019. The professional film/photo duo  will document their entire journey through one of Europe’s last great wilderness.

Virtual Reality has never been used in a conservation expedition like this before. We're taking everybody with us to immerse the viewers in this extreme and wild experience. We will be making a VR film as well as a doc style film.

Ryan and Hailey will be filming a short documentary to support the Highland National Park infinitive. The mission is to create awareness through motion, stills, and media. To raise awareness with the help of media partners. To get as many signatures as possible. To assist in the fund-raising of the National Park initiative. 

A high quality documentary will shine a light on the fragility of the highlands ecosystem, and why it needs to be protected. No other form of media has such a successful call-to-action. There is no better way to experience an environment than under the power of your own two feet. To tell this story, Ryan and Hailey will immerse themselves completely into it.

HELP PROTECT ICELAND'S HIGHLANDS

How you can help. 

Follow

Watch the development in real time. Discover what it takes to plan and execute a project like this. Learn more about the National Park and its' ongoing successes and its' tribulations.

Blog 
Instagram 
Facebook 

Share

The #1 way you can help is to share our posts and engage with our expedition. Share with your friends, family, colleagues. Engage with us on our posts, tag friends, and help spread the word.

Sign the Petition

Help push the initiative from an idea into action. Sign the petition  and help protect the highlands.

Donate

Donate to our mission here. Our expedition takes place July 2019, we need to raise our funds by June. Our costs include flights, accommodations before and after our expedition. Food for 30 days. And food/supply drops on days 7,14,20, and 25. 4x4 car rental for 3 days to pre-place supply drops. Fuel for 4x4.

WE CAN'T DO THIS THING BY OURSELVES

We are not professional athletes, we are not thrill seekers. We just have an unshakable passion for the outdoors, and for wild places. Wilderness areas around the world are constantly under threat. What makes the Highlands of Iceland unique, is the fact that it's entirely unlike any other wilderness on earth.  With your help, we can do this thing! - Hailey and Ryan