The Glaciers

Two of the most easily accessible glaciers in New Zealand are on the West Coast  close to the towns of Franz Josef and Fox. Over the years these glaciers have been retreating although there has been some advancement in early 2000.  Please take notice of the signs giving advice as to where to go or not go. The area is  subject to quick changes in weather and  there can be dangerous rock falls. Every year someone gets killed having deliberately  gone off the tracks and across the ropes for usually 'a better view'. Do not be one of these people!

Franz Josef Glacier. It is possible to drive to the car park in the valley of the Franz river. The walk from there to the face of the glacier and return takes about ninety minutes. It is not possible to go on the glacier unless you are with a group that has a local guide. There are companies in Franz who will arrange for you to be part of a group. You will be provided with equipment necessary for a glacier walk. Those who are walking on their own to the face of the glacier should take warm clothing ( even if the weather is fine) have good footwear ( not jandals or high heels as we often have seen!) and rainwear. The glacier itself is dirty in places. This is moraine which  is rock which has been scraped off the glacial side and floor and brought down slowly within the glacier. As the glacier gets to a lower level, some of the ice melts and reveals the rock.Rocks that are carried along on the side of a glacier are  part of a lateral moraine. Sometimes a small glacier joins as a tributary of the main glacier and this causes one side of the glaciers lateral moraine to finish up in the middle of the glacier. This material is known as a median moraine. At the end of the  glacier there may be evidence of a terminal moraine. These are easier to see in the lower valleys below the glacier which in a previous age  glacier would have  ''bulldozed" its way down and then retreated, leaving  a great pile of moraine which may have a lake dammed behind it. ( or be cut through by the river draining the glacier)
Franz Josef Centre.  If the weather is inclement, it is possible to see and experience  the glaciers at this centre. It is well worth a visit.
Flights.  There are helicopters and fixed wing planes that will take you up one side of the glacier and around Mt Cook ( Aoraki ) and bring you back down the other side if the weather allows.
Fox Glacier. Slightly smaller than Franz, the Fox glacier has a steeper river bed. Usually to walk into the face of one of these glaciers is sufficient. The town of Fox is also smaller than Franz. Both have excellent Motel and Hotel accommodation.
Lake Matheson. An early morning trip to Lake Matheson is well worthwhile. It is only a few kilometres from Fox township and there is a restaurant closeby which offers a good breakfast. The walk round the lake takes about an hour and if the day is fine and calm, offers picture postcards shots of Mt Cook and Tasman often reflected in the Lake.