Hike to Fraz Josef Glacier Thursday - January 9, 2014

THURSDAY – JANUARY 9, 2014

BOTTOM LINE:

Hiked from Franz Josef Village to the Glacier and back

BACK STORY:

Today we allowed ourselves to sleep in with no alarms set.  We both woke up at almost 9am, which felt great!  When traveling on a tour like this we not only are up late listening to the young one party, but we nee to adhere to a fairly tight travel schedule. 

Today was a free day, which lent itself to an open plan. We could do whatever we wanted.

Whenever our room has a mini refrigerator we tend to stock it with a small box of milk and yogurt.  Breakfast is then taken care of each morning when we add a little muesli to the mix.  Unfortunately this morning we realized that the cereal was still on the bus with no way to get it off.  When the driver has a day off there is absolutely NO way of getting his to do work.

After breakfast we walked over to the reception office to inquire about a town shuttle that we had heard of that would take us up to the glacier parking lot for a couple of busks each.  Reception said that it was $12.50 pp each way and that we had to reserve spots by calling ahead.

We opted to walk to the town information center where we could pick up trail maps and find out about any other shuttle options.  The information center confirmed what our reception desk had said about the shuttle.  All trail maps had a charge, so we left and began our walk.

It was a beautiful, crisp morning with sun peaking out of the clouds illuminating one of the glaciers.  The park had a separate pedestrian trail through a rain forest and along the Franz Josef River.  It was very peaceful and nice.  At one point a young woman was attempting to balance her camera on a rock and take a picture of herself.  We offered our help and ended up walking with her for a while.  Later an older woman caught up with us while we took pictures.  She was from London so we walked with her for a bit.
 

River walk to Franz Josef Glacier

Beginning of the end

  

It took about 1½ hours to make it to the parking lot of the Franz Josef Glacier trails.  From that point it was another 1½ hours to the glacier.  After checking the posted weather conditions we began the walk.

 

My Weatherman

If there was ever proof of global warming this would be it.  The glaciers are melting at such a rapid rate that they are very unstable and can only be viewed from a distance.  This one sign had a picture of what the glacier looked like in 2008…six years ago! 

 

Global warming???

Both of us decided about the same time that we were both getting hot spots on our feet and should probably not go any further given the distance that we would have to walk to return. We had seen enough and quite frankly had seen more beautiful glaciers in Alaska and Canada. The waterfalls however were amazing and seemed to be pouring out of the mountain in random formation as it rained.

 

Franz Josef Glacier

 

 

Yes, it rained most of our two hour walk back.  We were well equipped with quick drying zip off/on convertible pants, rain coats, fleece and an umbrella (thank you Susie!!!).

Both of us were hungry by the time we returned and popped into a café.  I had a delicious mussel and clam soup and Bruce had an angus burger “pattie.”  He had one the other day and gave me a bite.  It tasted like meatloaf more that a burger.  I am now assuming that a “pattie” gets away with additives and although they mention Angus…it is not 100% beef!!! 

Back at the hut we hung our things to dry and collapsed for a nap.  I took a shower knowing I’d have a clean place to myself.  My hunch proved right.  As I left the showering area, a group of 10 young folks (guys and girls) filtered in.

By now, many of you are probably wondering if we would do this kind of travel again.  My answer is NOOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAAAY!!!  We were led to believe that this tour would be all ages of people who were “young at heart.” 

We have now been educated about the schooling in Europe.  Their system has what’s called a “gap year.”  It is one year’s time between high school and college where students are encouraged to travel and see what the big world holds for them. Many kids work hard, save their money and then hit the road in search of their unique experience.  Others from affluent families are given a ticket and enough cash for their needs.

Many kids travel alone and as they run out of money, they work for more or trade services for food and accommodations. They are very frugal and know their financial limits.  We ran into two girls from Norway and Germany who have been eating the free food that is leftover in the hostels.  They supplement but have cut their food budget by eating what others don’t want or need.

Many of the young people have maturity about them and seem to enjoy talking with us out of some comfort or security need. Others are out for themselves and have a big old frat party mentality.  I have had opportunities to share our travel story and in so doing they start asking spiritual questions which opens another dimension of conversation.

I decided early on that I could either be offended by the obnoxious behavior of a few OR change my attitude about them.  I did the later and have enjoyed all of the young ones…some more than others! Ha!

Cotton candy sunset over the mountains