I hiked a glacier!

---

Hi again! Two days ago we took the bus on this amazing coastal road to Fox Glacier. The whole day we were stopping at little
Dept. Of Conservation parks and taking short hikes through the rainforest or strolling around deserted beaches. There aren't any people! No houses! I'm already spoiled and used to the quiet....its going to be weird going back home. Then we arrived in the little town near Fox and ran through the rain from our slightly sketchy 'hotel' to get some dinner. The lady who planned our lunches thought we'd all be crazy about gherkin and ricotta cheese and curry paninis so we're all usually starving by dinner time. We ate in town which was amazingly warm and cozy (and they had veggie burgers woo!) and then went back and did some serious crunch time essay writing (due at eight the next day).
Yesterday was the day of reckoning...the glacier hike. I definitely didn't know what I was in for. We put on these giant, twenty pound, 1930 style climbing boots which made us all walk stiff legged because we couldn't budge our feet. Then we took an old red schoolbus to the foot of the glacier and hiked about and hour through an awesome uphill forest/cliff area to get to the base of the glacier. Our guide was great and kept warning us to "hold on to the chain or it's the end of you!" whenever we got to the steep, close edged areas. When we got to the base we put on crampons and each got wooden poles for balance. We had to tuck our pants into our socks so we wouldn't trip but it was ok because Craig, our guide, assured us that pants-in-socks was currently the height of fashion in NZ this year. Hiking on ice was so much fun! We got to walk up these ice-cube like steps and wander around in "crevasses" which are, much different from crevices and must be said with grandeur (try it with a french accent). What a workout we got! By the time we got back to the buses, I was exhausted (in a satisfied and exhilarated sort of way) and felt a little out of shape. But it was well worth the sore feet I have today from those crazy man boots.
Today we just arrived in a Hokitika, a town on the west coast...and we have great rooms right on the beach. With our own bathrooms and heat and everything! OK thats all for now...I only have a minute left.

---

Comments

[hannah g.]

wow
what a cool pic of yall on the glacier!! i bet that was fun!

[Mom]

You can stay if you want!
Okay,okay - I would totally understand if you never come home! I would also save up my money and overcome my fear of flying to come visit you for long periods of time. It does look like you have found the most beautiful place on earth. I wonder if that means that anywhere else you go will pale in comparison? Keep soaking it all in and enjoying. We are all enjoying reading and seeing... Miss you , Mom

[Ant Suzan]

"Ditto" to everyone elses comments
You are not only the intrepid traveler but also quite a succinct writer and photographer as well. AND your 'readership' is growing- Michael and Andre are transfixed and the 2 'Cheryls' all want to follow you- we may be armchairs tourists, but you are making that extradinary place come alive for us vicariously. Bravo - we love you- and hang onto that rope!----

[Zach]

JeAlOuS!
Wow...you guys must be having the best time ever. You are really getting some fantastic pictures. I hope the night life is treating you guys as well as the daily activities seem to be. The Big V is just as smelly and hot as the day you left us :-) A lot of new faces. You guys be safe and I will see you soon!

[Mamma Jill]

Miss you bunches
I can't even begin to tell you how jealous I am that you are climbing glaciers and I am stuck in wonderful Carrollton. The pictures are amazing and you look like you are having a blast. Like Zach said things are great at the old V and there are tons of new faces, we all miss you bumches and cant wait to hear about all of you awesome adventures when you get home(in detail). Well, keep having all the fun and be careful climbing those ice cubes. See you soon. Jill -n- Baby