Hiking Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand

If you are into adventure then New Zealand's South Island is where you want to go. Here you will find unspoiled wilderness, fewer people and more opportunities for extreme sports. One place in particular that you will find a lot of wild adventures is the Franz Josef Glacier. This popular adventure tourist destination is 12 kilometers long and will take you from rainforests to ice fields in just a few hours.

Equipment You Will Need

When hiking the Franz Josef Glacier you will need cold weather gear, even in the summer. This is because you will be climbing on huge sheets of ice and ascending hundreds of feet. This means that the temperature on the glacier is going to be significantly lower than that in the glacial valley. Dress in layers so that you can add layers as you ascend the glacier and so you can remove layers as you return to the temperate rainforests that surround the glacier.

Your selection of hiking and climbing equipment is going to depend on what activities you will be participating in and on if you are on a guided tour or a self guided tour of the glacier. Tour companies will generally provide you with the ice cleats and climbing equipment that you need, however, some of the ice climbing and skiing adventures will require you to rent your own equipment at a local sports equipment shop or bring your own equipment from home. If you will be exploring the glacier on your own, then you will need to make sure you bring the right equipment for your glacier sport. For example, if you plan on scaling the Franz Josef Glacier ice cliffs then you will need a helmet, ice cleats, ropes, clips, climbing boots, sunglasses, sun screen, gloves and harnesses.

Everyone who explores the glacier needs to wear sunglasses, sunscreen and bring bottled water for drinking. When your body is cold its signals for thirst slow down even though you are using water. It is a good idea to drink a few sips every twenty minutes to ensure proper hydration and to keep your mind sharp. A carbohydrate snack every hour or so will also help your body stay warm and remain in motion.

What You Will See

There are several stages of a Franz Josef Glacier hike. To start with you will hike through a primeval rainforest where you will see unique New Zealand wildlife and greenery. As you approach the glacier you will travel through the transition zone between the rainforest and the glacier's terminal face. This is the glacier valley's face. Before you ascend the terminal face of the glacier you will need to strap on your ice cleats, also referred as Ice Talonz. You then can climb up pre-formed tracks and trails to get onto the glacier. These pre-formed steps and trails make accessing the Franz Josef Glacier easy enough for just about anyone to do. However, generally this hike is recommended for people over eight years of age. As you explore the glacier you will be able to explore crystal blue crevasses, ice caves and dramatic ice cliffs.

Guided tours are generally divided into half day, three quarter day and full day expeditions. Each of these tours will provide you with between one and a half hours of ice time and six hours of ice time. If you are more interested in ice climbing or advance glacier exploration, then you can take a helihike trip. Some of these trips will drop you off on the glacier close to the best climbing spots.