FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1939, Page 3

FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

VISIT OF WAIRARAPA YOUNG FARMERS.

Describing the visit of the Wairarapa Young Farmers to the South Island, Mr K. McGillivray, referring to the Franz Josef Glacier, said the party left the buses at the foot of the track leading to the glacier. They reached the ice after about a quarter of an hour’s walk. The glacier is about 15 miles Jong and three-quarters of a mile wide and moves at the rate of 3 inches a day. Many deep crevices were seen and the different colours of ice attracted notice. After tramping to an altitude of 1,500 feet the party came back to the river which flowed from underneath the ice, the latter formed a huge arch. The guide carried an axe with which he cut out steps on the ice. The return journey to the hostel was made through the bush for about three miles. Some of the lads went for a plane ride over the glacier in one of the Air Travel Services’ machines. From the air the many and varied colours of the ice could be seen to full advantage. The plane circled many times over the glacier and an excellent view was obtained of the snow and ice fields. A magnificent panorama was presented with the sea in the distance and Lake Mapourika nearer at hand. The whole of the country is heavily clad in bush. The party left after lunch for Hokitika.