We booked our trip for the glacier as soon as we arrived in the Franz Josef Glacier township. Our drive down had been quite treacherous due to torrential rain and windy mountainous roads, so we were praying that tomorrow would be fine. Franz Josef Glacier claims to be the most spectacular and challenging glacier environment available to the general public anywhere in the world. Its also the world's steepest and fastest flowing commercially guided glacier. The Maori's call it, "Ka Roimata o Hine Huhatere," which translates to "Tears of the Avalanche Girl."
Fortunately the next day started off with fine weather. We got togged up (coat, hat, gloves, 2 pairs of socks, army boots and ice talons) and drove the short distance to the bottom of the glacier. We then set off on foot for the 2.5km walk to the base of the ice flow. As the glacier got closer it was an amazing sight. The sheer scale of the thing! It wasn't white as expected but had a light blue tinge to it and a fair bit of dirt making it look slightly grey in places. We put the talon's onto the bottom of our boots to give us a better grip on the ice and started to climb up the glacier. In total, we spent 2 hours on the ice, climbing steep inclines before descending steps carved out of the ice by our guide. It was quite slippery so the ice talons were essential. Unfortunately Fran's left talon broke (she thought it might have been caused by gripping to the ice with the fear of death!) but the guide took his off and gave it to her. Upon descending the glacier, it started to rain increasingly heavily. By the time we got to the bottom and started the 2.5km trek back to the tour coach, everyone was pretty exhausted, getting steadily drenched by the now torrential rain. I have to say that we didn't envy the group approaching the glacier to do their walk as we left!
Overall it was a great experience - a little more challenging than we had expected - but great fun. One thing's for sure...we certainly enjoyed a hot shower and a glass or two of vino when we got back to our cabin!
Tomorrow it's off to Christchurch for our flight to LA! J&F.
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