Great glaciers!
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2007
1
54
91
Trip End
Jan 11, 2009
Franz Josef,
New Zealand
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Full Day Glacier Hike!
Franz Josef, New Zealand. Known for the glaciers the meet the rainforests... and more importantly, the chance to strap on some crampons, and work your butt off climbing up it!
Luckily, we didn't have to awaken TOO early... by 9:15 am, the office was crowded with people queueing to check in. We were given all of our gear, including boots, crampons, rainjackets, a hat and dome mitts, before being herded onto the bus. Once we got there, we hiked through the rainforest and around the river for a full hour before we even arrived to the bottom of the glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
! Luckily, they give you the option to choose which group you are in depending on your confidence and skill. Considering my lack of proper physical activity since leaving Welly, I aimed low! I was lucky to have a few people from my bus in the same group as me, we offered each other support and company throughout the day!Basically, the glaicer is covered with steps that have been carved in through the hard work of the glacier guides. Some areas have ropes for support... and some don't! I think the most difficult part of the day for me was when we had to go basically straight up a crevasse, steps on either side... and no rope support! I was about halfway up and I looked at the guide and said, "I can't do this! I don't know where to go!" but ended up using the steps above to pull myself up. We walked through extremely tight crevasses, and over some small ones as well! Looking back, I think what we did was actually nuts! But as corny as it sounds, it really gives you a massive sense of achievement!
On our lunch break, a of us had an ANTM-style photo shoot- got some wicked, fake-looking shots!
8 hours after starting, we were finally done, and got th ebus back to town. We celebrated our success with a hard-earned meal in the pub, and reviewed the difficulty of the day with a pint!
The downside of this whole thing was- 3 days later and my quads are still killing me! Definite incentive to start jogging once I can actaully move normally again!
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