Honestly, what real benefit does a guide bring to most reasonable people? I know, the stereotypical American will travel to Iceland with norhing but shorts, but those aside, most everything to learn/understand here can be explained in an 2-5 minute introduction of the equipment. I mean, both me and my brother managed without problems (under paternal guidance) starting around age 6 two decades ago. Nowadays, most seem to be super crowded in the high season (meaning well, you have to wait often on a route), but its always been a fun activity.