The One with the Ice Talonz

There's nothing like a walk in the icy air to wake you up in the morning!

We headed round the corner to the HQ of the company who would be taking us on our full day Ice Tramp on the Franz Josef Glacier.

We were first kitted out in waterproof trousers, thick jacket, woolly socks, boots, Ice Talonz (why not just call them crampons?) Hat and gloves, and were soon looking like the rather bluer cousin of the Michelin Man.

We jumped in the mini bus and headed off for our 40 minute hike to the terminal face. nothing could prepare me for the first view of the ice. Both it's beauty and it's mere size - amazing. Milky coloured torrents raced past us, headed for the sea, and we followed the river towards its source.

As we reached the path end, we crossed under the fence, past the EXTREEME DANGER sign, (reasurring!) up a ladder, and up some rocks aided by a chain - and we hadn't even reached the ice yet!

As we reached the face, we sat and put on our Ice Talonz (crampons!) which was a cue for some silly photos. All togged up, our group of 6 elected to be in the first group which meant that not only would we get higher on the ice, but our guide would also be cutting the route for everyone else. The Glacier grows at a rate of 1 metre a day, so every day the guides are cutting new routes and avoiding the new caves, cracks and crevaces that appear!


We head on to the ice remembering the three golden rules of Ice tramping: 1) Agression (so that your Ice Talonz (crampons) get a good grip - at one point I think the guide told me that he had seen more agression in a marshmallow - not good! 2) Feet Forward - easier said then done on steep narrow steps heading down! and 3) walk like John Wayne - so your straps don't get caught in your Ice Talonz (CRAMPONS CRAMPONS CRAMPONS!)

We headed up the steep steps (holding on to the rope for dear life, and as we got higher were given ice picks to help aid balance. This was the boys cue to start hacking into any ice that so much as melted the wrong way - but also provided ample photo opportunities. We are gaining a reputation for taking daft shots now, and tahnkfully as the going was slow, what with cutting the new route and all, it gave us a lot of scope!

Higher up the ice is much bluer, and there are lots of small channels to squeeze through!


As we near the beginning of the final descent we are able to go through a small ice cave, but first we have to crawl through a tiny hole. I am smiling in this photo as I have just reason that my rear end is well and truly stuck - rather like Winnie the pooh in the Rabbit hole - thankfully I wasn't the only one with an ample behind who needed help getting out!

Back on less slippy ground and truly exhauseted, we relax in the large hostel spa, although I leave before the water fights ensued.

Another random evening, of wine and jazz.