Franz Joseph > Haast
We all got up early for the full day hike on the glacier. When we arrived at the centre we were given Gore Tex jackets, boots, socks and Ice Talons (special walking crampons with smaller teeth). When ready we were taken by bus up to the car park near the base of the glacier. The idea was that as we walked across the basin to the foot of the glacier we would split ourselves up into 4 groups of approximately 10. It was based on your own assessment of how confident you felt climbing as opposed to your physical ability. The point was that group 1 would be going up first on small freshly cut steps in the ice and that by the time group 4 followed up the steps would have been worn and bigger, therefore less hairy. All four groups would be going to the same point on the glacier but group 1 would do some extra ‘missions’ in and out of the ice cliffs near the top. Jonathan and Sophie arranged themselves with group 2 whilst Graham headed off with the Fire fighters they had met yesterday in Group 1.
The hike included some bonkers squeezes, climbs and ladder
bridges. Like the Waitomo caves I was surprised at the level of difficulty they
had set for the hike, but soon realised that again it was pitched just right,
hard enough to test even the most confident of us, but not too hard as to be too
much for others.
On the way down Group 1 took the flood path down the side of the basin. It is a
path left such that in the event of a flood access to / from the foot of the
glacier is still possible. It consisted of many ladders and ropes set into the
cliff above the basin including a short section where you had to cross a
waterfall. The path was quite overgrown, which added to the fun.
We were back with the Stray bus by 17:30 and began the drive to Haast. We were
staying in dorms in a camp ground in the back of beyond. Unfortunately the
three of us and Seb ended up in a room next to a load of drunken hillbillies who
kept us awake for quite some time. What was worse is that they were up before
us and looked like they had a good nights sleep.