13th February 2007
2 hours' walking
The Franz Josef is a 7.5 mile long glacier located in Westland National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Together with the Fox Glacier 12 miles to the south, it is unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 1,000 feet above sea level amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest. It is also one of only three glaciers to come so close to a coastline. Fed by a large snowfield at high altitude, it exhibits a cyclic pattern of advance and retreat, driven by differences between the volume of meltwater at the foot of the glacier and volume of snowfall feeding the névé (a young, granular type of snow which has been partially melted, refrozen and compacted). Due to strong snowfall it is one of the few glaciers in New Zealand which is still growing as of 2007.
I chose one of the helihikes - a helicopter ride takes you high up on the glacier where the Guide leads you around, over and through a variety of ice structures. It was an amazing experience but I would have liked to have spent longer on the glacier - the full day walk gives you this opportunity but it is only for very fit people.
Scroll down to see photos of this walk
The pilot refuels before we set off!
The glacier comes into view
Dust carried in the rain is deposited on the ice, making it look quite dirty
A spectacular waterfall en route
The Guide works on the helipad whilst we wait for the rest of the group to arrive . . .
and here they come
Holes in the ice and ice tunnels are blue due to the oxygen being squeezed out . . .
then light being absorbed and the blue light is reflected
Looking up the glacier . . .
and into one of the ice tunnels . . .
that we are able to walk through
Next we navigate an ice passage . . .
before heading through another tunnel . . .
where I am caught on camera
Our Guide explains that arches can be dangerous . . .
and decides to break this one
All too soon it is time to make our way back to the helipad . . .
passing a stream . . .
and a waterfall on the way
I think this ice axe is rather large for me!!
A last look down to the glacier . . .
before heading towards the coast . . .
and back to the helipad