Sunday, April 1, 2012

Franz Josef Glacier


Woke up early and headed to the Franz Josef Glaciers!!  Another beautiful drive up and through the mountains.  We stopped at the information/hotel center for some nice toilets—you don’t appreciate clean, nice smelling bathroom until you are out camping for a few weeks!

A “rugged” hike to the glacier turned out pretty tame compared to Mt. Cook—it felt like we were walking on the surface of the moon with mountains on all sides.  Once by the glacier, there was a tall hill (glacier underneath), covered in rocks that obstructed the full view.  With a little coercion, I got Shelley (who doesn’t want me to get hurt for some reason!?) to climb it.  Once up, we saw the beautiful glacier in its entirety. 
Freedom camping near a river (NO FACILITIES) this night, so we decided to treat ourselves to glacier fed hot springs as muscle therapy, soak away the dirt therapy, and a proper shower before heading back to our camp.  Worked spectacularly—super clean, relaxing, and put us straight to sleep.


We did it!!  Top of the Glacier


Here is the view from the base.  Doesn't look so bad.


We were warned, but went anyway.  Rebels!

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