"Walking On THICK Ice"

Franz Joseph is a small town located 150km south of Hokitika. It exists, like its neighbour - or should I say owes its existence - to the glacier that is wedged between the mountains of the Southern Alps. Thousands of people, tourists and kiwis alike, pay to be guided up and down the intermingling structures of ice and rock. Richie and I joined them on Thursday.

After arriving at the reception desk nice and early (yawn, again!) we signed the necessary waiver and grabbed our gear. Which consisted of a gortex jacket, boots, crampons (they call them talons, apparently!) and a hat and gloves.

Looking and feeling decidedly un-cool, we boarded a coach that drove us to the base of the glacier, where we walked the brief distance to the glaciers edge and put on our talons. I always remember struggling from an early age to tie my own shoe laces and trying to marry these rusty pieces of metal with the soles of my boots brought these memories flooding back. Richie just stared at me in disbelief as I was given a helping hand by Blair, our guide for the day. Who was I to argue with a guy that had a pick axe which was as big as he was!

After a quick "dummies guide" in the use of talons we started our climb. I have to say eventhough we started at a relatively slow pace I found it quite difficult. Having to constantly stub each foot into the ice, while also making sure my weight was pitched forward so as not to slip, proved taxing to say the least.

My problems eased as the gradient of the glacier decreased and by the time we took our first break I was competent enough. Looking back the views were stunning and again I managed to get several really good shots of the glacier sandwiched between the two mountains.

We spent nearly six hours on the glacier itself, being educated as to why the colour of certain parts were blue (lack of oxygen in the ice apparently!) and its true length (11km). One of our group asked how long it would take to traverse its length and even I was suprised by the answer: two days!

Again, we were spoilt with the good weather and it only started to spit with rain on our descent. Unfortunately, once of our group thought it would be a good idea not to use the necessary steps and decided to take an alternative route. She slipped and fell, cutting her hands. A timely remider that the guides play a fundamental part in the safety of everyone in the group, and that you should respect their instructions and judgement.

It was a fantastic day out and our guides were roundly applauded as they drove us back. Richie and I limped back to our hostel, and a hot shower. Tired though we were it had been worth every penny.

Another early rise for the drive to Queenstown and four days of relative rest.