Franz Josef Glacier
En route from Christchurch to Franz Josef...
Random wicker moa (extinct bird that looked like an ostrich)
Is it just me, or does Ms Jacquie Grant really not look like an eco-warrier?!
No phoebe, dont pull its legs off...
Phoebs looking good, even with a hangover
When we got to Franz Josef township we booked into the "Chateau Franz" (quite nice, but a bit trashy) and booked onto a "full day" glacier hike. The next morning they provided us with hardcore hiking boots, 'talons' (like crampons...they fit to the boot and give you grip on the ice) and thick jackets (not that we needed them - it was baking!)... When we got up there it was just AMAZING - like climbing an iced meringue. We climbed about 3/4 of the way up the 'tongue'.
Now I think this is the way the glacier works...loads and loads of rain comes in from the sea and falls over this area (the Southern Alps). When rain falls above a certain height it comes down as snow... This snow collects in the 'neve' (the crater at the top of the mountain) and builds up and packs down, and once full it is forced down the side of the mountain and into the valley (as the 'tongue'). In most places the tongue melts quickly, but as this area gets so much rain/snowfall, it is forced down further than nearly anywhere in the world, which means you get this massive ice structure right next to semi-tropical rainforest! V.cool.
We climbed a bit, but Keiran our guide was busy all day hacking away with pick axe so we kind of just walked on these homemade 'steps', which meant it was actually not as extreme as I thought it would be, but just right for our capabilities! Mountain goats we are not. The lovely Katie, Teresa and Mike (and lots of Stray bus gossip) were also in our group. Really stunning views throughout, and we even went into this ice cave where we had to slide through on our arses to fit. Definitely a day to remember.
That night we risked the lukewarm, dirty-traveller-soaked-in waters of the hostel spa, then went out to the local bar/nightclub with Teresa, Katie, Mike and Kieran. Homegrown pop music soon morphed into hardcore trance... hmmmm.
The view of the glacier from Franz Josef township
Agh. Did not want to see this sign before going up
I have no idea what we're looking at
We felt completely safe at all times. Honestly.
Kieran, our intrepid guide
The team!
Random wicker moa (extinct bird that looked like an ostrich)
Is it just me, or does Ms Jacquie Grant really not look like an eco-warrier?!
No phoebe, dont pull its legs off...
Phoebs looking good, even with a hangover
When we got to Franz Josef township we booked into the "Chateau Franz" (quite nice, but a bit trashy) and booked onto a "full day" glacier hike. The next morning they provided us with hardcore hiking boots, 'talons' (like crampons...they fit to the boot and give you grip on the ice) and thick jackets (not that we needed them - it was baking!)... When we got up there it was just AMAZING - like climbing an iced meringue. We climbed about 3/4 of the way up the 'tongue'.
Now I think this is the way the glacier works...loads and loads of rain comes in from the sea and falls over this area (the Southern Alps). When rain falls above a certain height it comes down as snow... This snow collects in the 'neve' (the crater at the top of the mountain) and builds up and packs down, and once full it is forced down the side of the mountain and into the valley (as the 'tongue'). In most places the tongue melts quickly, but as this area gets so much rain/snowfall, it is forced down further than nearly anywhere in the world, which means you get this massive ice structure right next to semi-tropical rainforest! V.cool.
We climbed a bit, but Keiran our guide was busy all day hacking away with pick axe so we kind of just walked on these homemade 'steps', which meant it was actually not as extreme as I thought it would be, but just right for our capabilities! Mountain goats we are not. The lovely Katie, Teresa and Mike (and lots of Stray bus gossip) were also in our group. Really stunning views throughout, and we even went into this ice cave where we had to slide through on our arses to fit. Definitely a day to remember.
That night we risked the lukewarm, dirty-traveller-soaked-in waters of the hostel spa, then went out to the local bar/nightclub with Teresa, Katie, Mike and Kieran. Homegrown pop music soon morphed into hardcore trance... hmmmm.
The view of the glacier from Franz Josef township
Agh. Did not want to see this sign before going up
I have no idea what we're looking at
We felt completely safe at all times. Honestly.
Kieran, our intrepid guide
The team!
posted by Anna at 7:33 PM
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