An alternate explanation was that when it was reached for the first time, in the summer, during a period of warm climate, it really was a green and lush land. S

An alternate explanation was that when it was reached for the first time, in the summer, during a period of warm climate, it really was a green and lush land. Sure, there was some ice going uphill and inland but I don't think the Vikings had any idea just how much ice. On a similar vein, Iceland was also named from a first impression, having been initially reached at a colder time of year. Thos are the explanations that I have heard. There is no way to know if they hold any truth.