Southern Traverse Tour Day 2: Franz Joseph
Tuesday 1/8: Heli-Hike + Hot Pools
I had a lovely run in the morning on the road along the river that leads to the base of the glacier, enjoying the early morning chill and mist rising from both the river and within the other valley nearby. Buffet breakfast at the hotel was included in our tour package. Then we checked in for our Franz Joseph Glacier Guides heli-hike tour at 9am, filled out the medical waiver, confirmed our weights, and joined up with the rest of our group with awesome guide, Ellie. Our companions for the adventure included a family of five from Australia, an Israeli couple, and another US couple. The 4+ hour experience began with suiting up in all of the appropriate gear -- waterproof over pants, wool socks, boots, waterproof jackets, and hats. We also received gear bags with mittens and our crampons to tote with us and put on once we reached the glacier. Ellie led us on a pathway to the heli-pad, where she explained how to put on the crampons and another staff person provided a helicopter safety briefing. We split into two groups for the quick helicopter flight up onto the glacier.
Ellie then led us up and down and all around different parts of the glacier, using her axe to work on the track along the way. She also provided awesome commentary and information about the glacier, its history, the changing conditions, etc. We were so fortunate to have such an amazingly beautiful day for our hike, as we learned that some excursions the day before had been cancelled due to poor conditions.
A quick return helicopter flight took us back, and we shed our gear, made a quick stop at the room to freshen up, and then found lunch at The Landing restaurant across the street.
Our afternoon included some time in the Glacier Hot Pools to relax and then a visit to the Wildlife Centre to see two young rowi kiwi in their nocturnal habitat. Adorable!!! Dinner at Full of Beans cafe, where I had an awesome mushroom, spinach, potato, and feta veggie stack and Mr. E enjoyed a burger. Then back to the room to pack up and prepare for our morning departure.
I had a lovely run in the morning on the road along the river that leads to the base of the glacier, enjoying the early morning chill and mist rising from both the river and within the other valley nearby. Buffet breakfast at the hotel was included in our tour package. Then we checked in for our Franz Joseph Glacier Guides heli-hike tour at 9am, filled out the medical waiver, confirmed our weights, and joined up with the rest of our group with awesome guide, Ellie. Our companions for the adventure included a family of five from Australia, an Israeli couple, and another US couple. The 4+ hour experience began with suiting up in all of the appropriate gear -- waterproof over pants, wool socks, boots, waterproof jackets, and hats. We also received gear bags with mittens and our crampons to tote with us and put on once we reached the glacier. Ellie led us on a pathway to the heli-pad, where she explained how to put on the crampons and another staff person provided a helicopter safety briefing. We split into two groups for the quick helicopter flight up onto the glacier.
Our afternoon included some time in the Glacier Hot Pools to relax and then a visit to the Wildlife Centre to see two young rowi kiwi in their nocturnal habitat. Adorable!!! Dinner at Full of Beans cafe, where I had an awesome mushroom, spinach, potato, and feta veggie stack and Mr. E enjoyed a burger. Then back to the room to pack up and prepare for our morning departure.
posted by jms | 10:15 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home