Franz Joseph
Trip Start
Apr 16, 2008
1
25
33
Trip End
Aug 11, 2008
Franz Joseph,
New Zealand
Sunday, July 6, 2008
As we wanted to head straight toFranz Joseph, and not stay overnight at Greymouth as we would have to if travelling on the Magicbus, we booked onto a local travel bus taking us direct. We did however stop of at Pancake Rocks for some stunning views of the sea crashing into them, and the water being pushed out of natural blow holes. We arrived at Franz at 5 pm, just in time to make some tea and chat so other travellers in the kitchen and our room in 'the stables'.
Mon 7th - The Glacier Walk!!
We arrived at the glacier centre 9.15 in plenty of layers all prepared for the cold to be kitted our with our gear for the day - hiking boots, crampers, jackets + trousers and gloves.
Along with around 40 other people we were shuttled to the glacier's terminal face, which is 5km from the town. After a short walk through the national park Sam and I put ourselves into the 1st of the 5 groups climbing determined to see as much of the blue ice at the top of the glacier as possible.
Climbing the glacier was breath taking! The views and scenery stunning, and by chance, we chose to clime on a beautiful sunny day as well... which was suprisingly warm and we ended up removing all but 2 of our many layers.
The pictures speak for themselves. A fab day :-)
XxX
