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Franz Josef Glacier – January 2020

February 21, 2020 // Esther Filbrun Leave a Comment

Somewhere around three weeks ago now, I took a trip with some friends to do exploring around the glaciers 2 1/2 – 3 hours south of us. I’ve loved that area of the country for years, but it’s been nearly four years since I was down there last! It was a very cloudy morning when we set off—and stayed that way for quite a while—but just as we were getting close to our first destination, the Franz Josef glacier, I saw sunshine on the mountainside ahead!

Franz Josef 01 - Mist

This area has gotten an immense amount of rain this past year, causing quite a few washouts. I believe this was the surface of the original access road to the Franz Josef glacier, now impassable. I’m glad they built another road next to it, so we could still get there!

Franz Josef 02 - Washout

Walking out to the Franz Josef glacier, I looked up—and the sky was clearing! There was a little waterfall just ahead of us, too.

Franz Josef 03 - Sunshine

And then . . . the glacier itself! Pouring down a valley of its own like a blue sea suspended in space.

Franz Josef 04 - Glacier

The walk up the Franz Josef river to the glacier is so pretty . . . all the different colors, and I never tire of watching and listening to flowing water!

Franz Josef 05 - Riverbed

Just as you get onto the riverbed, there is a gorgeous waterfall that comes down the hill to the right. It splits into several different forks at that place, and there are some large rocks to use as stepping stones across the little creek.

Franz Josef 06 - Waterfall

Then, further along, there is an interesting rock formation. I’ve found it fascinating every time I went, but what I thought was especially interesting was the fact that there are no visible horizontal scrape marks as I’ve heard are often the case on glacial sites. I had to wonder what the explanation for their absence would be—if you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them!

Franz Josef 07 - Rock

Another favorite feature of mine: The green and red lichen on the river rocks.

Franz Josef 08 - Lichen

We made it to the top and the end of the trail! Unfortunately, due to the glacier’s melting, we were still one kilometer away from the glacier’s face—and the distance to the glacier was quite noticeable compared to when I was there four years earlier!

Franz Josef 09 - Siblings

It’s still beautiful, though.

Franz Josef 10 - Glacier

Looking down the valley before heading back. . . .

Franz Josef 11 - Riverbed

The vegetation here is such a gorgeous green color!

Franz Josef 12 - Vegetation

One of the girls we were with mentioned that you could see evidence of the smoke from the Australian bushfires in the snow. Sure enough—there were distinct yellow patches in the snow! I did have to wonder why some parts stayed white, while other parts were yellow!

Franz Josef 13 - Snow

And one last point of interest: If you climb a little track that zig-zags up a hill, you get a different lookout on the glacier. It’s a lovely view any way you look at it, but they had an interesting sign up showing where the glacier was ten years ago. What a difference!

Franz Josef 14 - Then and Now

In all, I highly recommend this walk if you come to our area. I also recommend going on a sunny day—it’s much more interesting then! And once again, I was reminded of how good our Father is to give us such beautiful things in creation to look at!

What natural features in your area have you gone to see lately?

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Filed Under: Life Tagged With: Pictures, Traveling

About Esther Filbrun

I am a young woman in New Zealand. I enjoy writing, cooking, sewing, reading, editing, and, most of all, praising my heavenly Father.

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Hi! I’m Esther, lover of the Lord Jesus Christ and brainstormer behind helping families find good books (read more about that here). My goal is to live a purposeful, fulfilling life—whether that is in what I read, write, cook, design, or do with my wonderful siblings. My life is full and often messy. But God is good. Welcome to the adventure!

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