Franz Josef Glacier Tramp: Cloud, Rain - heavy at times, 19C, 17kms

"Sunshine on My Glacier Makes Me Happy"

Unfortunately, it was not to be this day. We had heard that this morning, early there would be a chance to see the glacier before the rains hit. And they were quite right! See...I took this from town about 8 kms away. How do I know this? Because after driving for so long yesterday we decided to walk there and back with a few additional trails added on.

To the right in the cloud is Mt. Cook, the highest peak in NZ. Perhaps we will see it from the other side when we begin to cycle down from there March 1st, but unfortunately we may be riding in rain as the long term forcast is not looking too nice. 

Off we set, but first a couple of local churches as one of our followers commented on the cool stone church I previously included. We do try to consider those who support us...

On with the tramp. We started off with a grey morning and quickly found ourselves at the single lane bridge to cross the glacial drainage plain. One of those temporary, permanent structures that somehow gets forgotten because for some reason it hasn't quite collapsed with huge loss of life, embarrassing the present government. Actually, compared with the other bridges we saw today, this one was pretty good.

We thought that we'd heard there were hot springs in the area, so when we saw the steam rising off the water we naturally assumed that this was what we were witnessing. Turns out the steam was really fog caused by the ice cold water meeting the warmer air as it descends.

By the way, Libby and Glen, seems that they aren't too dog friendly in this area...photo looks like the kids. Couldn't resist sending this your way.

The walk through the rainforest was really nice and we were congratulating ourselves on getting up early and tramping up as the cars, tour buses and campers endlessly drove up the road off to our left. We saw a Wood Pigeon, a few Rock Wrens and Fantails...beautiful colours. Then in the distance, the glacier, the purpose of our walk showed itself.

There were some nice falls along the way as well and some very nice vistas...

I met a Kiwi who told me that in 2005 when he was up here last that the glacier was down to the foot of the drop. George Bush direct quote, "there is no global warming!" 

A bridge...stay tuned.

Then as happens in all rainforests...it rained! It poured as it swept in on us! Great test for our jackets and gear. Annemarie's jacket flunked...we will look for a new one in Queenstown. 

Annemarie likes to walk in the rain...Geoff not quite so much. So we walked in the rain! 

Finally Annemarie agreed that we could descend and I was ok with that. I guess that had we driven up we would have seen the glacier in all its glory, but the walk was pretty amazing and helped us to figure out this type of wet gear...no ponchos this trip. Note to readers, if this seems disjointed a bit you can blame David P as he keeps sending me spell check corrections!!! He's such a Weka!! I have to stop messaging with David as I write this or else Annemarie tells me will miss out on the cheap happy hour drinks at the bar! So here are the final photos from the day...

Me on this suspension bridge...getting better!

And of course, what's a tramp without a few flowers!

Ok, off to enjoy happy hour! Tomorrow we hope to travel down the coast and tramp into Fox Glacier before a long drive closer to Queenstown where we drop off Thursday.

Ok, back at the camper waiting for the next rain showers to pass so we can get to the kitchen and cook our dinner. Happy hour was great with a nice calamari appie! Oh, and Stevie made his first appearance...though we have chatted.