Ready, set, go–today was a high energy day. We walked uphill for an hour to view Fox Glacier; then we circumvented Lake Matheson, an 1.5 hour trek through highly scenic terrain.
Because we were short on time, the charming manager of our hotel, Frederico from Uruguay, told us to skip Franz Josef and do the Fox Glacier climb. Other tourists who viewed Franz Joseph concurred because trampers can get closer to the Fox Glacier than to the Franz Josef glacier,
We hooked up with a lovely Aussie couple, Alan & Cheryl, for the climb. We met up once again later in Queenstown for dinner.
Alan & Cheryl, standing next to lichen covered rock.
Pete & Jill, all weather-proofed, prepare for the climb.
Cheryl and I have a common love of fuchsia raincoats.
View from the top of the trail. Chivalry is not dead down under; Alan grabbed my backpack to lighten my load. I called him my Sherpa.
Big chunks of ice flow downward.
Folks who choose to hire a guide to see the glacier and “touch the ice” have two options: Take a helicopter and land on the glacier or be pulled up the river in a rubber zodiac like those in this picture. We opted to skip the touching part and hike to the foot of the glacier for our experience…
Glacial ice is blue.
In the afternoon Pete and I hiked around Lake Matheson.
Bucolic delight
Beautiful, well graded track
We had the track to ourselves.
Matheson lake mirrors the glacier.
NZ takes pride in its land. All of its parkland is user-friendly.
It’s hard to find anything ugly in NZ.
The lake mirroring Fox Glacier
So many of NZ’s trees, plants & animals were imported by emigrants. Today Nz is focusing on replacing indigenous plants.
The end of our hike was as beautiful as the beginning.
We saw these vans, condos on wheels, everywhere, often times with young folk bursting out of them. There are many ways to see NZ.
Our entourage grew each evening. Tomorrow we head out to Queenstown.
6 Comments
All of your pictures are beautiful, but the one mirroring Fox Glacier is soooo beautiful. Can’t wait for more pictures and to see the final product when Pete is done putting it all together. See you soon.
Nina
Speechless have to agree with Nina. Actually how did you have so many clothing changes. I took you to the airport and you only had one suitcase each. See you soon.
I am loving the Blue Ice.
We are looking forward to the full video.
By the way, can you double back to Rotorua on your way out of New Zealand to pick me up some of that plum whisky. Yum
The country is just GORGEOUS, and you two look MARVELOUS, as Billy Crystal once said. All that fantastic scenery must agree with you both.
You’re in great shape if you can do all this walking, hiking, etc
Enjoy the rest of your days in NZ.
Hugs,
Flea
OMG! You two have become hiking fools. How will you be able to live without hiking once you are home? When the scenery is as beautiful as that, I guess you have every incentive to do it. These pictures are so incredible – they look totally professonal.
I am loving the Blue Ice and looking forward to the complete video.
On your way out of New Zealand, do you think you could double back to Rotorua and pick me up a few bottles of their plum whiskey. Yum.