Inspiration from Abroad: September 2014

Standing in the middle of a massive glacier watching your helicopter rise up into the air before disappearing down the side of the mountain, life becomes serenely surreal as you listen to the ice below your feet groan in response to its ever changing facade. Alone on a glacier with a guide and a group of 5 other explorers we were left with a pair of crampons each and time enough to trek across the glacier in search of the architectural wonders of our magical ice palace.

Luckily for us we were blessed with not only a small group for our heli-hike but hands down the most fantastic guide! Pete Ross, our fearless guide who paved the way for our adventure, was incredibly knowledgeable about the glacier, teaching us about the enormous slab of ice while weaving the ancient legend of the glaciers deep into our hearts.

Stomping around on the ice, making sure to dig our crampons in as deeply as possible, we trekked towards the edge of a glacial waterfall, slid through an ice cave and were even able to taste the cold dry glacier water forming pools both deep and shallow across the surface of the glacier.

Looking back at the photographs it almost doesn't feel real. Taking a scenic helicopter ride up the side of a glacier in order to hike across the ice and find the latest formations all while listening to the ice groaning beneath us. I still can not believe this wasn't a dream!

The Franz Josef Glacier sits in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the Western coast of New Zealand's South Island and is an absolute must on any nature-loving-adventure-seeker's bucket list. Young or old, male or female, kiwi local or tourist, this is an absolute must while in New Zealand. The Heli Hike was hands down the best experience I have ever had while on my travels and it has given me memories I will cherish forever.

Interested in Your Own Franz Josef Adventure?

The glacier is quickly disappearing and will likely be nothing more than a legend in 50 odd years, so do not delay! Make your plans and head out there before it is too late!

Logistics: Why not take a road trip? There are buses and tour groups you can book with to get down there from any of the large cities in the South Island but renting a car and driving there truly is a fabulous way to go! That way you are on your time and can enjoy the amazing drive into and out of Franz.

Accommodation: Franz Josef is definitely a tourist town so there is no shortage of places to stay, from hostels to hotels you can take you pick but my personal suggestion would be the Scenic Hotel. Not only did we have a stunning view, but I had the best nights sleep of the whole journey. The bed was like sleeping on a cloud and even the complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and soap left you feeling cleaner than ever before.

Exploration: There are a few different options for experiencing the glacier but my recommendation is without a doubt the Heli Hike with the Franz Josef Glacier Guides. The scenic tour followed by the two hour hike is enough to satisfy without overwhelming anyone. Flying half way up the glacier and hiking across it while learning the history behind it is fascinating and truly a once in a lifetime experience. While other helicopter tours will take you up for a snow landing, this one allows you to really experience the glacier in all of her glory!

Wanting to explore the world of the Kiwi's for yourself? Read about the rest of my adventures in New Zealand to learn from my experiences and get some great tips!