Franz Josef

So then we went to the Franz Josef glacier, about half an hour south of the Okarito turn-off.

Incidentally, in America they say "glay-sher". In England, they say "glass-ier". Poor Gareth, a man who has perhaps moved countries one too many times, could not remember which was the "right" way to say glacier. It sometimes came out "glash-ier" - a pronunciation that no one uses. But maybe it'll catch on.

Here are some photos...

We were interested to learn that this glacier is bucking the global warming trend and actually advancing. This sign explained,

Despite small advances about every 20 years, the glacier has generally retreated for most of the last century. However, over the last 25 years the glacier has been in a state of advancement. Will the climate here become so warm that the glacier will disappear completely? Or will there be another Ice Age with the glacier reaching over Sentinel Rock once again?

Someone told me that the west coast glaciers are advancing and the east coast glaciers are retreating. I have not fact-checked this.

You can't actually walk up and touch the glacier unless you are with a guided group. In other words, you can't go on the glacier unless you pay. We were happy to have a look from a safe, free distance.

Quinn was pretty tuckered out by the end of the long walk...