Franz Joseph

The west coast of New Zealand is ragged and windblown, in sections resembling some of the scenic Big Sur coastline we drove this summer. Having rented a car to see the south island, in a sense, we’ve brought our travels full circle from those beginnings of our trip.

Halfway down the coast is Glacier country- home to Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers, the steepest and fastest glaciers in all of New Zealand. Tuesday morning, January 15^th, we joined a guided glacier hike on Franz Joseph. 8 hours later, as we sat at the foot of the lower ice steps unbuckling our crampons, Dion deemed the day as one of his TOP single experiences over the entire seven months.

The day started with a trail hike that opened to a glacial river bed leading to the imposing face of Franz Joseph. The glacier appears as a white river of ice nestled between jagged mountain peaks. It grows almost impossibly large as you walk toward it. We climbed onto the ice and gained our comfort on a well maintained section with clearly defined routes.

Two hours on the ice and the real fun began. We were given ice axes (glamorized walking sticks in this situation) and led to the Defiance Crevasse. As the glacier is incredibly dynamic, for full day excursions the guides will often find and, with their ice picks, create unique paths up the glacier. The highlight of the day was shimmying our way through ice enclosures. One passageway was not even a body length wide with deep blue ice walls and frozen overhangs dripping like rain. The guide’s knowledge of the glacier and skill at capturing its explorative nature made the trip for us.

Franz Joseph glacier on the approach

Following our guide up the ever changing route

Up further we go

Squeezing through a long crack

Young Mountaineer Christy climbing her way out of the ice

And finding her way between more

Reuniting with a few friends, Ed & Alma, from our time in China.