Philippe Patay

Philippe Patay Pétursson, “Filippus”, 72, arrived in Iceland at the age of 20. He and Sigriður have three children. They are the founders of Fjallabak. A keen walker, photographer, observer of nature and birds in particular, he has travelled and guided far from home, in the Sahara, Greenland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, East Africa, Nepal… A few years ago, he discovered a natural penchant for Patagonia and Aubrac. A member of the Icelandic Guides Association for 45 years, he is also an enlightened amateur ornithologist and is an Icelandic encyclopedia in his own right. He was the first in the early 70s to offer the first trekking and ski raids in his adopted country. This outstanding storyteller also has a reasonable penchant for philosophical discussions and absurd puns. Today he is more or less retired and has passed the torch to Matta, his eldest daughter. Which does not prevent him from continuing to guide special groups. For any special request that would have to do with birds for example, a report, a Robinson retreat, contact him directly: philippe@fjallabak.is

Instagram: philippepatay

Laurent Jegu

Laurent Jegu, (48) is originally from Brittany in France. He has a master’s degree in business and communication with a specialization in multimedia and audiovisual. He came to Iceland for three months to work in a film and reporting production company, but he didn’t leave and ended up settling down for good. Reykjavik being too big a city for him, he built his house on the edge of Skaftafell Park at the very foot of Vatnajökull. When he’s not guiding for us, he leads excursions on and under the ice and kayak trips in the middle of the floating ice. Laurent is a dedicated, resourceful, enthusiastic and temperate guide with whom it is a pleasure to travel. Instagram : laurent_jegu

Pierre Brihat

Pierre “Pierrot” Brihat, also known as Pétur or Pedro, (53 years old) is from Marseille like the Greek navigator Pytheas, who was the first, in 325 BC, to make a description of Iceland. He is the best cook (Pierre, not Pytheas) of Italian pasta on the Arctic Circle and is responsible for a strange tradition among the team: that of Pastis at the evening stopover in the highlands. Son of a mother of Italian origin and a Gallic father, the great photographer Denis Brihat, Pierre grew up in the Luberon in Haute Provence. He now lives in Normandy from where he manages our site and our computers. Before becoming head (partner) of his family, Pierrot suffered from a disease that seemed incurable until recently: fidgeting! Sometimes we had to work with him in a very offbeat way, via the internet, because often, he would set off, riding his big motorbike, crisscrossing the small roads of France or the USA in all directions. Thanks to Skype, we were able to visit dozens of motel rooms in the background of a happy biker. The only thing that made him forget his dear bike was the labyrinth of unusual paths in the mountains of Iceland and today his Norman family.

Yoan Fontana

Yoan Fontana (34) is originated from the French Alps but he is guiding most of the year in northern Europe, sharing his time between Iceland for summer trekking and Scandinavia in winter crossing white deserts with his Siberian huskys. Since sled dogging was his passion, he naturally turn it into profession. “Self-sufficiency with friends is my way of life and nothing else matters.”
If in winter you’re looking for something unique in the middle of nowhere, you’ll meet in Lapland the passion and expertise of Yoan and Co to experience multi-activity raids or adventures in the European wild North, Russia and Scandinavia. North Territories provides experience, safety and traditional comfort for anyone looking for genuine experiences far away from the usual tourist tracks.

Matthildur Filippusdóttir Patay

Matta, your first contact at Fjallabak <matta@fjallabak.is>

Matthildur Filippusdóttir Patay, “Matta”, 40 years old, is the eldest daughter of Sigriður and Philippe Patay. She and her partner Andrés Úlfur are the parents of two boys. She takes care of the financial and administrative side. She makes quotes for individual travelers (self-drive tours) or for private groups. She manages reservations for accommodation, vehicles, takes care of welcoming travelers and resolves many small problems during the season. She knows how to put a smile and a good mood back on tired drivers and guides and serves as our dictionary in at least five languages, including that of the elves. Matta is now in charge of our agency, of which she is the managing partner.

Instagram: fjallabak_trekking

Andrés Úlfur Helguson

Andrés Úlfur Helguson (50), glacier guide and big 4×4 fan. He is the one who knows how to do everything. His large size, his even mood, his calm and his disarming smile make him an essential element when the season overflows a little. An anthropologist by training and youth educator. He has been sent on distant missions as far as Ethiopia. Andrés is Matthildur’s partner and the father of their two boys Grímúlfur, (Masked Wolf), and Filippus Flóki, who will, who knows, make very good guides in ten years. In parallel with Fjallabak, Andrés has his own agency Iceland Untouched and works mainly to organize high-end private tours all year round

Instagram: icelanduntouched

Þór Tulinius

Þór Tulinius, Thor (60) yes that’s it, like the Nordic god. Thor is a famous theater and film actor in Iceland. But with its 330,000 inhabitants the country can’t offer him more than a decent salary. This explains the great versatility of the inhabitants of this country and the simplicity of social relations. So, when summer comes, he goes to guide on the slopes of Iceland. Thor spent part of his childhood in France, another part in the United States of America and speaks several languages perfectly. His presence, his dedication, his great culture and the finesse of his attitude make him a guide appreciated and loved by all.

Stephan Stephensen

Stephan Stephensen, aka “Stebbi Stef”, (48), a mountain guide, returns to the highlands every summer to lead treks. In winter he is known in the underground music scene in Reykjavik and spends much of the rest of the year performing as a musician at home and abroad. He is also a black and white photographer and a sailing sailor. His good mood is infectious, his humour is absurd and his resistance to the elements is inspiring.

Orri Gunnarsson

Orri Gunnarsson (47) joined our team in 2010. He is a civil and environmental engineer with a masters degree in Urban Planning from University of Michigan. Orri’s winters are spent not doing planning and designs for the city of Reykjavík. In-between design projects he’s found in midst of disaster zones working on water and habitat humanitarian projects for the Red Cross. With the same vigor his summers are dedicated to executing Fjallabak treks and tours. A skier, mountain bike guide, scuba diver, kayak rower, motorcyclist, paragliding pilot and a passionate camp chef. Volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis and Typhoons won’t dishearten him, but is sure to induce a sarcastic remark. -A trait the hapless occupiers of this forlorn volcanic rock have learned to master!

Estrid Thorvaldsdottir

Estrid Thorvaldsdottir, (40), trekking and sightseeing guide. Here is another linguist genius : not only she speaks all scandinavian languages, she also masters french and italian. Throughout the year she teaches yoga both at the city hospitals and in yoga centers, which makes her the perfect guide to get in close connexion with icelandic nature and tales.

PS.Her chocolate mousse is another wonder of the highlands !

Author Archive: syspbad