Cliff eggs in Skoruvíkurbjörgum

Two seasoned climbers recently undertook their last egg-collecting expedition of the spring in Skoruvíkurbjörgum, Iceland. Kristinn Lárusson and Rúnar Þór Konráðsson, both experienced climbers, descended the cliffs for the traditional harvest, which is a practice that is not permitted after May 31st.

Historically, collecting seabird eggs was a significant source of sustenance, providing a welcome dietary supplement after monotonous winter meals. An old verse, sometimes attributed to the poet Látra-Björg, highlights the importance of this practice: "Many a man the cliff saves, the cliff refreshes all, but to fetch from the cliff cliff-dwellers' bounty is hardly possible."

Even today, people collect eggs from the imposing cliffs of Langanes. Lárusson and Konráðsson, who have been climbing these cliffs for years, estimate it has been about 30 years since they first ventured onto the bjarg together, though some have fallen during the intervening years. The activity demands considerable skill and courage, particularly for those who suffer from acrophobia, as the cliffs are formidable and the eggs are considered a delicacy.

The article notes that access to further details requires a subscription to Morgunblaðið, suggesting this is a snippet from a larger piece. The tradition, while perhaps less crucial for survival now, continues to hold cultural significance and attract interest.

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Many a man the cliff saves, the cliff refreshes all, but to fetch from the cliff cliff-dwellers' bounty is hardly possible.