I climbed a glacier and survived!!!

• Sarah11011's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Franz Josef

Trip Start Jan 03, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Ongoing Next
Entry

  Franz Josef, New Zealand
Monday, February 11, 2008

I decided to go on the full day Franz Josef Glacier hike. I didn't really know what to expect but I felt like it was a once in a lifetime experience. When I arrived to the shop, I had to go get all of the things that they provide (waterproof jacket, pants, gloves, hat, boots and crampons). We had to take a short bus ride to the rainforest. Then we had to hike for one hour through the rain forest. This was a little difficult because we had to climb over these big boulders. Thank goodness they attached ladders to the boulders so that we could climb over the rocks.

When we got the rainforest we were greeted by an amazing view of the glacier. The glacier itself sits in a valley between two mountains. There is a river flowing out of the glacier's cave. It looks like the set of a scene from "Lord of the Rings." I keep looking at the glacier going, "we are going to climb that?" Needless to say, I was a little freaked out

Me on the top of the glacier

.

The first hour was very steep. Literally, we were just climbing straight up these steps that the guides cut for us. It took me a little while to get used to my crampons (shoes with big spikes on them). During this portion of the hike we had to hold on to ropes. After that first hour, I was honestly exhausted. But our guide allowed us a small break so that we could get our bearings. He also taught us some other ways to walk during specific sections of the hike (EX: Egyptian walk & the Franz shuffle).

There was one point where I got a little scared. We had to jump over this large crevice. It was definitely scary for someone who was 5' 1" tall. I just pictured the headline in the newspaper "American dies on the Franz Josef Glacier due to midget legs."

So after 6 hours on the ice, my legs were throbbing. The best thing that I can compare it to is being on a stairmaster for 6 hours straight. However, the pain was worth it because the views were amazing. Also, I enjoyed seeing the wonderful ice formations. Nature is a wonderful thing.

I received a job offer from a 5 star resort in the Marlborough Sounds. I'm heading there on a 10 hour bus journey.

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

View from the glacier	climbing up the glacier	the glacier	Glacier water is amazing
Our guide carving our path	hiking up the glacier	the valley below the glacier	my crampons
the glacier from the base of the mountain

Slideshow Print this entry Share

Previous Entry Next Entry