Half day hiking at Franz Josef Glacier

The highlight for today was "Half-day hiking glacier experience". I didn't have to get up early, thanks God! It was the first day I didn't get up early since I started this trip. (Anyway, I got up around 7.30am) I got ready and went to the glacier experience office! There were lots of people gathering already. People who would do the full day hiking were ready to go when I got there! Finally, it was our turn (half day hiking group). It took us sometimes to get ready. They provided us boots, ice talonz (special shoes for hiking the ice), rain coats, gloves and hat. You can bring your own stuffs as well if you want!


There were around 49 people in my group. That's lots, isn't it? Once, we reached there, we had to walk around 3 kms from the car park to the glacier. It took us around 45 mins on foot! ( the guide, chris, said)

Then, we got at the glacier. We were seperated into a group of ten. We put the ice talonz on and were ready to walk up the glacier! It was getting colder and colder when we walked close to the glacier.

It's time!!! at the very beginning of the hiking, it was hard and steep. I thought to myself that I was lucky doing only a half day one. However, it wasn't that hard! It was easier and getting more and more beautiful. The ice was bluer when we got higher. Chris (the guide) told us that it was because of the reflection of the light, the ice doesn't observe the blue colour. That's why we saw it's blue! Also, it does something with oxygen in the air. (I'm not quite sure, it sounded too academic to me) Anyway, I'm very sure that it is beautiful. It was very cold up there. My hands were freezing!

I was happy I have done it. It was a good experience. Overall it wasn't that hard, only some parts were a bit slipery and steep. Anyway, it was really ok, not that dangerous at all. We went down around 1 pm. I didn't think we were in the ice that long. I mean we were supposed to be there longer and go higher.

I got back to the backpackers around 2 pm. I was starving. After feeding myself, I went for a walk and had a cup of coffee with a friend I met here. That's another day!












There were all together only 3 of us in the room. So good, not too crowded! (Tanya, german girl, Judith, Holland girl and myself) They were nice and friendly. Last night there was a japanese girl with us (Sayaka). She should be in Queenstown now. It's good seeing and talking to people from various countries. They also made my day! I've really enjoyed my trip so far!!!