How long is Franz Josef glacier walk?
How long is Franz Josef glacier walk?
1.5 hour
Franz Josef Glacier walk is an easy 1.5 hour round trip walk to the base of Franz Josef Glacier from the car park. Walk past a waterfall along the wide river stone track, suitable for children. You can’t get that close to the glacier face anymore because it’s receded too far.
Where does the Franz Josef glacier walk start?
Drive or walk south from the Franz Josef Waiau township across the Waiho River bridge and turn left onto the Glacier Access Road or Te Ara a Waiau. From here, the car park is about 4km. This track is sometimes closed; check with the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre.
Can you walk up to Fox glacier?
It’s a short walk. You can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour one-way along a rocky terrain (remember the ice that falls down the glacier break off large boulders and grind at smaller rocks).
How do you walk on glaciers?
WALKING ON A GLACIER: ON ICE – WITH CRAMPONS. As a general rule: To avoid snagging the crampon on your pant leg, walk with legs apart, leaving a distance between your feet as they pass each other. You should also ensure that your crampons are very firmly attached to your boots.
What should I wear to Franz Josef Glacier?
But for the rest of us, here’s the run down on what we provide for hiking Franz Josef Glacier….This includes:
- Breathable rain jacket.
- Hiking boots.
- Waterproof over-trousers.
- Crampons.
- Socks, hats and gloves (if you need them)
How tall is Franz Josef Glacier?
3000 metres
Franz Josef Glacier is currently retreating. In the past 8 years the Glacier has retreated around 800 metres making it just under 11km long. The Glacier is also 3000 metres in height.
How can I see Franz Joseph?
The Easiest Way to See Franz Josef Glacier (with both feet on the ground) The foot of Franz Josef Glacier sits less than 300 metres above sea level, making it extremely easy to view. A ten-minute drive from the village to the glacier carpark puts you at the start of the 20-minute Sentinel Rock Walk.
Can I drive to Fox Glacier?
You can drive from Queenstown to Fox Glacier in half a day. You might, however, like to stop in Wanaka on the way. The terminal face of the glacier is just a few kilometres from the township and you can walk the valley path from the carpark to the glacier. Guided tours onto the ice are also available.
Is it safe to walk on glacier?
Safety. A person should never walk on a glacier alone. The risk of slipping on the ice and sliding into an open crevasse, or of breaking through and falling into a hidden crevasse is too great. To keep from slipping on ice, they wear crampons, which are steel spikes attached to the bottoms of their boots.
What is the greatest danger when visiting a glacier?
Are glaciers dangerous?
- Flooding caused by a glacier. Although it is not uncommon for a glacier to have a small lake of meltwater near its terminus, extreme melting or unusually fast melting can cause these lakes to overflow their barriers and cause flooding downstream.
- Avalanches from glaciers.
- The threat of icebergs.
How cold is it on a glacier?
Temperatures in glaciers and ice sheets vary in space and time. Temperate glaciers have temperatures at or close to 0°C, while the upper part of the Antarctic ice sheet may be as cold as -40 to -60°C (Fig.
What can you do at Franz Josef Glacier?
Franz Josef Glacier enjoys the perfect outdoor environment for a selection of trekking, tramping, hiking and guided walks. Walking tracks may be short walks, or multi-day walks.
How dangerous is the Franz Josef Glacier valley?
The Franz Josef Glacier valley is a hazardous environment. The access road and tracks can be closed due to rock falls or flooded rivers, and glacier viewpoints may be hundreds of metres from the face of the glacier. The weather can change at any time. Walking to the glacier is over rough and uneven ground and can involve crossing streams.
How long does it take to walk to Franz Josef?
The start of the track is located around 5 km from Franz Josef, a bustling West Coast tourist town. If you’re on a budget and travelling by bus it’s possible to walk there from town. Franz Josef is around 1.45 hours from Hokitika and is only 30 minutes or so from Fox Glacier.
How many different walking tracks are there in Glacier Country?
There are about 30 different walking tracks in Glacier Country, from short scenic tracks to challenging multi-day hikes. Detailed below are some of the most popular hikes featuring glaciers, mountains, rainforests, lakes, beaches and more.
