Fjallabak's team
Our guides are the keystones of all our trips. We, at Fjallabak recognize their importance, since we all started out as guides and all continue to do so when time permits! The guide takes care of all the details necessary for a successful journey: the group spirit, security, supplies and relations with the local population. They carry out the itinerary and modify it according to the group and the conditions. All of our guides are cultivated men and women, enthusiastic about their work and above all experts in the area where they guide. Group safety is most important to us and our guides are fully trained in wilderness first aid and rescue procedures. Either native or adopted Icelanders, our guides all speak English in addition to various other languages such as French, Italian, German and Japanese.
Most often our guides are accompanied by an assistant and a driver, themselves great characters, mountain experts and fonts of local knowledge, who also play an important role in the success of the journey. And all of our trips also rely on the hard work of a talented group of support staff. Our team here are all dedicated to just one aim: to ensure each tour is successful, safe and an unforgettable experience for all.
Check out our team here
 Gabriel Patay Filippusson,“Gabbi”, 28, mountain guide and driver. As son of Philippe, he has the highlands in his blood. An experienced leader of many Icelandic expeditions, but also trips in Greenland, Alaska and The Sahara. Fluent English and French speaker, passionate supporter of Icelandic nature and talented photographer. Off-season, he is a carpenter and travels Iceland and the world with little regard for personal safety. This year, he is re-furbishing a sailboat to enable more extreme travels. Need we say more? |
 Stephan Stephensen,“Stebbi Stef”, 34, mountain guide, returns to the highlands every summer to lead our tours. Yet, he is a very well known member of Reykjavik’s underground music scene and spends much of his year performing as a musician, at home and abroad. His ability to navigate whilst signing autographs for young girls is legendary in the mountains here.
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 Pierre Brihat “Pierrot” or “Pedro”, 34, is proud to be from Marseille, the same town as the Greek explorer Pytheas, who is thought to be the first discoverer of Iceland in about 325BC. He is also renowned (Pierre, not Pytheas) to be the best pasta maker in The North. He has lived in California, but today lives in Paris from where he administers this website. |
 Aurélien Bihr “Aurel”, 30, trekking guide and driver. A Frenchman and father of “mini-me”, Adrien, 3 years, he has lived in Iceland for 5 years now, since falling in love with the unspoiled wilderness and the lifestyle. An inexhaustible walker, with an unflappable, humorous disposition, a talented linguist, great cook and possessor of endless charm. |
 Jökull Bergmannm(prononced “Yerkutl”), 30, mountain and ski guide was born and raised in Skiðadalur (Ski Valley), a wild valley within the Giant’s Peninsula, in Iceland’s far north. His fiercely independent nature can be traced to his name: Jökull (Glacier) and Bergmann (Mountain-man). He is currently completing his studies in Canada to become a high altitude guide. The climber of many first ascents in Iceland, he has traveled extensively in South America, Africa and USA and spent several winters in Chamonix.
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 Harpa Barkadóttir, 28, mountain guide, has led English and French speaking tours for us for 6 years now. An expert on Iceland’s wilderness, her smile and enthusiasm will light up any trip. But do not be fooled - her leadership style has been described as an “iron hand in a velvet glove”. Additionally, she has studied anthropology and gender studies, is a talented musician and singer and is mother to the lovely Matthias.
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 Anna Dora Hermannsdottir, 48, was born and lives now, in the valley of Skiðadalur, in the Giant’s Peninsula, north Iceland. She is the young mother of Jökull Bergmann. After years of traveling the globe and working as a National Park warden, she returned to her family farm. She has converted this in to a fabulous guesthouse and wilderness retreat, accommodating our spring skiing trips. She specializes in yoga and organic cooking. An address to keep!
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 Klemenz Geir Klemenzson
“Klemmi”, 38, mountain driver. Born at the farm of Holar, in the shadow of the infamous volcano, Mt Hekla, you could not wish for a more experienced, knowledgeable driver and companion. Known by all ladies in the highlands for is wit and charm; much to the confusion of us boys! Also known for his vast coffee drinking capacity and snuff-taking – feel free to ask him for some! A family man, off-road enthusiast and all-round top-man.
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 Sveinn Steinar Benediktson, "Svenni", 25, |
 David Kelley “Kelso”, 39, mountain guide. He came to
these shores 5 summers ago, after “getting his
mid-life crisis in early…”. Mountain walking,
photography, deserted places and fine food, are top of
his list. A world traveler, he has led trips in the
Sahara, Peru, Vietnam, Cambodia and China and also
lived in New Zealand for a while. An ex-rugby player,
originally from England, now resident in Reykjavik and
sick of being accused of being an Australian.
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 A guide without hiking shoes, yes he exists and we found him. |