Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Right...Franz Josef is the site of *fan fare* The Franz Josef Glacier! So first point of call was booking our hike onto the glacier. Thats the most interesting thing we did so I'll get right on telling you about it!!
We went along and got all kitted out in attractive fisherman style trousers, giant boots, waterproof jackets and the like...looking the part ready for an expedition onto a glacier and/or Antartica!
We got driven to the national park and then walked for about half an hour until we were in sight of the glacier...It...IS...HUGE!!! We had to poodle through a little stream/river to get within sight of it which was very amusing...everyone tippy toeing trying not to get their feet wet and Big Foot Lennie comes stomping through like a kid in a puddle! I converted people to my way of thinking by the time the trip was over!!
From where we ended up the glacier looked pretty hefty and about 10 minutes walk away...but the guide (Roar...like a lion!) said no no, its still an hour and a half hike till we get there! Emma and Jo were highly disbelieving...no trust some people! They were determined that it would take us like 10 minutes to reach it...foolish foolish girls!! Never doubt a man called Roar!
Anyway....an hour and a half later *snigger snigger* we arrived .... well...closer to the glacier! Pretty much at the bottom of the glacier where we all put on our spikey shoe bits (so we wouldnt slip around on the ice) and got into our groups - despite Roar wanting us to be in his group, we decided to go with the slower group! He had already introduced me to another guide and trouble, but I quickly reminded him that my mama always said I was "special" (I think this other guide had been told the same, he seemed to get me!)
Anywho, all kitted out and feeling like prats we were ready to begin our climb. Every morning the guides had to cut out icy staircases for the groups to climb and I swear some of those guides must have the longest legs on record because some of them were up to my thigh...very hard going!
Jo was merrily singing to herself as she climbed the stairs and was happyhappy when she donned a pair of mittens to return teh feeling back to her fingers!!
There were parts of the glacier that had massive crevices next to them and so had ropes to hang on to just in case you decided to go "exploring"!!There were also "bridges" which we learnt were actually just ladders laid down with a plank of wood over them, which went over massive crevices...exciting stuff! Anywho, after about 2 hours of climbing up the ice we....ok mainly I....we BORED! Twas amazing and beautiful but dull dulldull!! So they gave me an ice pick (or glorified walking stick as they called it) which I called Percy and loved like a fat kid loves cake...Oh Percy I miss thee!! Anywho, I was happy and rejuvinated and we carried on climbing more!
The glacier was gorgeous, the shapes that were carved out in it were pretty spectacular and if you looked up there was tons of bright blue ice which was pretty special!
After we began our descent I had to give Percy up...and I think in response to this emotional trauma I lost the power to stay on my feet and frequently tried to throw myself off the glacier (something which Roar found rather amuuuuuuusing when we eventually returned safely!)
So glad we did the climb...it was dull but really impressive and fun...until it got dull!! Defo would reccommend it! Despite Roars claims to have missed us girlies, he tried to get Emma to run down a ladder and tread on my fingers which I thought was nice! Jo also decided that now that she was safely off of the glacier she would try and break her leg on the short walk home. Luckily she failed but it was a close call!! Lift your feet Joey...LIFT YOUR FEET!!!
Anywho, we were very very sleepy when we got back but ready for our sky dive tomorrow!!! whoopwhoop!!
xxx
- comments