Vacations-Away
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South Island - Franz Joseph Glacier (Te Wahipounamu) South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. The centerpiece of the Westland National Park. Legend has it that the beautiful Hinehukatere who loved the mountains convinced her lover to climb alongside her. He fell to his death an her tears formed the glaciers. The Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers are some of the fastest moving glaciers in the world; they have receded some 3km since Cook observed them in 1750. They have advanced and are now receding. Map of Glacier Area Franz Joseph Glacier Preparation The Climb Night Life Haast Beach & Pass The Franz Joseph Glacier We had resolved to reach Franz Joseph by nightfall and climb the glacier (pronounced "glassier" in NZ) the next day. After driving from Hokitika 150km, we arrived late in the afternoon and stayed at the Glacier Hotel in view of the peaks that arose up out of the glacier. The next morning we assembled, received our equipment and were bussed to the foot of the park. Top
The
Climb
Really getting into it
Taking a break
That night we celebrated in a local pub and met two incredible people from Australia, two friends who owned and ran two very large sheep stations in the outback of Australia, Ben and Lynn. We continue to write them. Have joined the "OLD BASTARDS" Society at their invitation, official members. Top
Haast Beach & Pass The next day we headed out for Haast, the last western coastal point before descending into the central portion of the South Island and Queenstown. We stayed overnight. In the morning
took a hike on the vast Haast Beach
We reached the
Haast Pass
and headed down. ,MAIN TOPICS
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From there we hiked about a mile to the base of the
glacier 
then
put on our boots 
The glacier
as well as waterfalls loomed above us 
After some instructions and demonstrations,
We
began climbing and
climbed Mid glacier, it looked like this 
A fabulous time!
Then the descent
which
was more difficult than the ascent. 
Looking
back down the glacier as we took off our boots. The climb was spectacular, our high physical point!
.
At 563m it is the lowest road crossing in the southern
alps.