 After one day in shadow and rain the morning is very promissing. |
 Together with 39 other people We start a half day track to the Franz Josef Glacier. |
 Coming nearer and nearer to the real ice the glacier looks even more impressive and requires its respect. |
 The terminal face is reached and the ascent begins on steps hewn into the ice. The zone of extreme danger begins here. |
 We begin to wear cramps on our boots. Without it it would be hazardous to walk and climb on the ... |
 ... unprepared area in front of us. Following are some impression of a world made of ice (and rocks/dirt/etc.): |
 Almost everywhere the ice is covered with 'litter', small rocks scrabed from the side of the valley through the imense pressure of the glacier. |
 If it is 'untouched' the surface sparkles in the sun. An astonishing view! |
 The icefield is dotted with cravesses, some up to a meter in diameter and several meters deep. |
 At other places you can find vertical caves in ice faces. Any idea why/how they have come in existence? |
 We arrive our final point of return after one hour. For my first walk this is not bad ... |
 ... even if other more experienced climbers go up to for me unimaginable heights. |
 Going down ... |
 ... the same way these rocks used to take when coming with the ice before ... |
 ... the ice melted to water flowing down from the glacier. |
 A look back to the 'ice world' recalls the fresh experience and the warning signs all around seem more reasonable now. |
 After being back in town and after having tea as empowerment, some small spots took our interest. First one was XXX ... |
 ... second the Lagoon of ZZZ. In Hokatika we habe to search a bit for the Blue Lodge, but it is rewarded by a house encircled by pure nature some 8km outside town. |