The beginning of the 2010’s. What will the next decade bring? Teleportation? 100 Home run MLB seasons? Faster and more courteous service at the DMV? I, for one, am not sure about the first two. But I can tell you that, in addition to the DMV probably still being a mess, the first day of 2010 brought an early wake-up call for a day of ice climbing.
We had booked an ice climbing trip on the Franz Josef Glacier. We settled on ice climbing because the hikes didn’t satisfy our sense of excitement and our bank account frowned upon the helicopter trip to the glacier.
Our alarm clocks sounded at 630AM on New Year’s Day. Nicolle and I hurried ourselves into a quick breakfast and out the door. Normally we’re never late for anything (cough!), but we literally had to run down the street to ensure that the ice climbing trip didn’t leave without us.
As we walked in the door of the tour company’s store, we noticed that it seemed conspicuously empty. Turns out that we were the only individuals booked for that ice climbing time. Though just us two and a guide might have made for an intimate climb, the tour guide canceled our climb. We were dismayed by the cancellation, but the tour company made up nicely: they rescheduled us for the next day and comp’ed us some free passes to a local hot pool spa.
We figured that the spa might serve us well later on in the day after, say, an invigorating hike near the glacier. So we researched the local map, chose a hike, and set on our way.
The hiking trail was listed as taking about 5 hours roundtrip, with the summit rewarding hikers with a nice view of the Franz Josef Glacier. The hike itself was moderately difficult. The elevation climb wasn’t too drastic. Based on my poor conversion of meters to feet, I estimate the climb gained about 2000 feet in elevation. Sir Edmund Hilary would scoff at such a trifle…while being carried by his sherpa guide. The trail, however, included a few steep climbs, rock scrambles, rickety bridges crossing raging rivers.
One interesting characteristic of the hike was varied environments among differing elevations. At one point we walked through dense vegetation with noticeable humidity and warm temperatures. The next we were climbing up open rock faces where the air was a little cooler.
After about two hours of hiking, we reached the end of the trail. The end was not the summit of the mountain. Nevertheless, the end was high and open enough for a great view of the glacier.
The glacier itself was/is impressive. It’s one big ice cube carving the mountains as it advances/retreats. Even more impressive is the contrast between the glacier sitting next to, essentially, a rainforest. Just another absurdity of NZ.
Finally, we took our wobbly legs and exhausted bodies to the hot pool spa. Normally, I’m not a fan of spas. But we matched my affinity for the right price (free) with Nicolle’s love of spas. I had hoped that the spa was geothermal pools. In this case, the pools were artificially heated to three temperatures: 36, 38, and 40 degrees Celsius. My conversions of temperatures is even worse than for distances, so you’re gonna have to convert that one yourself. What I can say that the pools were warm but not hot. That is, nobody was basting me with melted butter and filling the water surrounding me with diced vegetables. Nicolle says that the 40 degree pool was uncomfortably hot. Sorry we didn’t take photos, but the pools were outdoors in the rainforest, with beautiful steam rising above.
To be sure, one one two zero one zero was a relatively relaxing day. Tomorrow brings another early wake-up (for the rescheduled ice climb).
Glad you guys are having a great time. Pictures are AMAZING! I agree with Nicolle - 40 degrees Celsius is too hot! Take care and have fun! -Christina D
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