After turning up very late the day before, I decided I still needed to go and get my exercise, and went back for a rematch with Esja.
Much better conditions than my previous serious attempt, I basically just slogged up and up and up. My goodness I'm out of shape. Iceland has been very bad for me physically, but fantastic for my soul. Guess that's cake and eating cake.
Make it up to the start of the serious bit, and after finding the chains buried under snow, I pretty much resign myself to having gotten my exercise, but no need to be silly when I'm by myself.
Turning back down I notice a side cut, and head up "for a look" Nearing the accessible side of the chains, I hear the clinking of climbing gear, and look up to see a man downclimbing over the track with an ice axe dangling and dragging down behind him. Buggers me what he was doing, but he tells me the rest of the track is clear of snow, so I head off onwards and upwards.
Hooray! Made it to the top, sign the book, and well, turn around and start back down again! Good to have gotten out there and gotten some exercise. Never hurts.