Fox Trot: Half Day Walk
Very popular, requires moderate fitness for uphill climbing.
Duration 3.5 – 4 hours. Departs 9.30 am and 2 pm.
For those with a half-day available this popular round trip is a popular eco-adventure full of variety and interest. Walkers are kitted out with sturdy leather boots before boarding one of the glacier buses for the short drive through the rainforest and into the steep-sided glacial valley. The valley was carved by the ice during past ice-ages, and shows dramatic evidence of the awesome power of ice.
Your guide leads you on a walk beside the river bed to our secret track which zig-zags slowly uphill for forty-five minutes through ferns and regenerating temperate rainforest. From high on the track you enjoy fantastic views of the glacier and its upper and lower icefalls.
From its high point, the track winds down to the edge of the ice. At this point, you are outfitted with instep crampons specially designed by Alpine Guides for these ice conditions and you follow the ice steps cut by the guides. The route takes you onto the ice amongst crevasses and ice ridges and leads you into the middle of the glacier for spectacular views of the icefall and lower glacier.
At least one hour is spent on the ice before returning to the bus using a different track that follows the edge of the ice and passes the collapsing terminal face of the glacier.
Your guide will be with you for the duration of the trip and will enjoy passing on fascinating details of the natural history of this landscape sculpted by ice.
Access to the ice varies as the glacier changes and an alternative to our high track may be used sometimes.
Fitness level:
Moderate fitness and agility is required, as the walk involves some steady, well-graded uphill walking for 45 minutes.
Availability:
Twice daily (except Christmas Day). Extra trips are scheduled in summer
Cost:
NZ$95.00 Adults, NZ$75.00 Children (GST incl.)
(Valid from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010)
(Children: 7 to 16 years inclusive)
Cost includes:
Guide, ground transport, boots and socks, crampons, raincoat, alpenstock.
Please bring:
3 - 4 layers of warm upper body clothing, sunglasses and sun protection. Jeans are not recommended on wet days as they become very cold and uncomfortable to wear. A day pack is useful and a drink and snacks are nice to have. Be sure to bring your camera and lots of film. Your own boots and raincoats may be suitable. For winter trips bring a warm hat and gloves.
Reporting times:
9.15am, 1.45pm year round. Extra trips depart 9.45am and 2.15pm in summer.
Booking conditions:
Please refer to our booking and cancellation details page.
Special notes and conditions:
Minimum age for children is 7 years.
NZ$95 peradult, NZ$75 per child
Request a Booking for a 9.30am departure
Request a Booking for a 2pm departure