Large numbers of people make their way to Mount Esja every year. The vast majority hike up to Steinn or Þverfellshorn. It is often said that someone has “just” gone up Esja, as if it were not much of an achievement. However, Esja is a large and varied mountain area. It offers many easy and accessible routes, but also some of the most difficult ice-climbing routes in the country, as well as serious ski-mountaineering routes.

The presentation reviews several serious accidents and rescue operations on Esja over the past 50 years, and considers what lessons may be drawn from them.