Franz Josef Glacier

Here are some pictures from Franz Josef. The drive there was beautiful but we were in for a treat once we came upon the glacier. We learned that Franz Josef glacier is one of only 3 in the world where a glacier meets a rainforest. The others being Fox glacier (right next to Franz Josef), and another in Argentina. The whole family walked through the 15 min. trail through the rainforest to come upon the view of the glacier. Everyone but Zoe got a chance to walk the rest of the way to the base of the glacier (about 2 kms). It's an awesome sight to see a glacier set between 2 mountainsides with waterfalls flowing down its sides and a rainforest surrounding the mountains.

Mike, Jonah, and I were fortunate enough to go on a guided hike on the glacier itself to view the blue ice up close and actually touch and taste it (we got to drink from pools of melted ice)! It was breathtaking to be walking through a crevasse about a foot and half in width and be completely surrounded with the blue ice. It was definitely an experience to remember. Jonah stayed right behind the guide and did great! The hike on the glacier lasted about an hour and a half, but we walked a total of about 4.5 miles if you included the walk to and from the glacier. Some parts of the glacier were very steep! I was very proud of our growing boy. Enjoy the pics.