Day 29: Franz Josef Glacier

We checked out the famous Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki this morning, which are certainly unusual. They’re apparently formed by alternating layers of sandstone and sea creatures, which then erode at different rates over time, leaving rocks that look like stacks of pancakes (pictures worth thousands of words). We then headed down to Franz Josef Glacier, stopping only when forced to by the occasional stock drive.

We hiked up to the base of Franz Josef Glacier, through the valley it has carved out over the last 18,000 years. It’s left behind a vast field of boulders and smaller rocks, broken down by the pressure of the glacier. Most of the trail was still covered 250 years ago apparently, so nothing has had a chance to re-grow, but given that there is rain forest on either side of the valley, you get the feeling that it won’t take long, assuming the glacier doesn’t advance all the way down the valley again (it is growing though, a few meters a year). Unfortunately I forgot to charge the camera battery last night, so no pictures, but we’ll get some tomorrow at Fox Glacier.

We stayed at the very nice Clearwater B&B last night, which is close to Fox Glacier. The owners, Peter and Lucinda, are very friendly, and it was nice to be back in a home again. We chatted with them for quite a while and enjoyed their company; they, like all the Kiwis we’ve met, are very friendly and nice. In addition to the B&B, they also have 800 head of cattle, some sheep, 3 goats, 2 dogs, and 5 peacocks! Oh yes, and 2 kids – it’s a busy household!