M-whY

The approach to the foot of the glacier was pretty much the same as yesterday's. Except this time, we actually got there. Seeing the ice up close was amazing. The size of the glacier was awe-inspiring. And it was only going to get better.

After putting on our crampons, we were on our way. The first part of our walk was along steps in the ice, freshly cut each morning by Alpine Guides' ice cutters. They're sent out every morning before any of the walks take place, scouting the ever changing terrain, noting any potential rock fall hazards, and carefully selecting the safest route by which to hike. We moved along the predetermined path at a relatively quick pace. In no time at all, we had covered quite a bit of ground.

At a certain point, the pre-cut steps end and it becomes the guide's responsibility to carve out a track suitable for his or her group. Progress slowed as Malin hacked away at the ice. A couple times she asked us to stand around and admire the scenery as she disappeared over a chunk of ice to scout the terrain. We walked through narrow crevices and ledges, passing towering blocks of ice. The higher up we went, the bluer the landscape became.

Malin had us wait again as she went ahead again to check the path. "This is as far up as we can go," she announced as she came back. "Nasty canyons up ahead."

Standing on over 150m of ice, we paused for everyone to take pictures. To make the trip interesting, we took a different route down instead of simply retracing our steps. Some of the steeper bits were done one by one, just in case someone decided to take a tumble. In some ways, going down was trickier than going up.

Despite having been on the ice for nearly four hours, I was a bit disappointed to have it all end. It was such an amazing experience.

Anyone who ever visits New Zealand HAS to walk on the glaciers!

Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!