| In New Zealand, walking can be more of an | | | | Maori tribe of New Zealand. Walking along (or |
| adventure than people ever imagine. And there's | | | | through) the glacier, it's hard not to be inspired by |
| nowhere better to put your adventurous spirit to | | | | the mythic landscape. The Maori named the glacier |
| the test than by deciding to explore the Franz | | | | 'Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere', or 'The Tears of |
| Joseph Glacier. A remnant from the Ice Age, the | | | | Hinehukatere'. Local legend tells how the |
| glacier is 12 km long - though your walks don't | | | | enthusiastic mountain climber Hinehukatere |
| have to be, in order to see some of the stunning | | | | persuaded her lover, Wawe, to go climbing with |
| vistas on offer. | | | | her. Unluckily, for Wawe, an avalanche struck, and |
| Are you an explorer? | | | | swept him away. Broken-hearted Hinehukatere's |
| The drive to explore glacial or arctic landscapes | | | | tears flowed down the mountain, and froze to |
| has been with us since James Cook crossed the | | | | form the famous glacier. |
| Antarctic Circle in 1773 - and long before that. It's | | | | Setting up camp |
| all about looking for new sights to see and new | | | | Luckily, climbing equipment such as ice axes and |
| places to experience, as well as the excitement | | | | crampons that can latch onto a climbing boot |
| of learning to navigate a challenging environment. | | | | have made exploring a lot safer than in the days |
| But the real value to travellers worldwide has | | | | of legends - in New Zealand, walking across the |
| always been in visiting distant places and searching | | | | glacier is also made easier with the option of |
| for the self, exploring our own joy in life and our | | | | guided walks by professionals. It's reassuring to |
| achievements by exploring the world around us, | | | | know there's a community nearby, the Franz |
| whether in arctic glaciers, or those of New | | | | Josef township, providing accommodation, a |
| Zealand. Walking, climbing, even caving in the | | | | heliport, and a number of restaurants and shops |
| tunnels formed beneath the ice - the Franz | | | | to unwind after a day's explorations. Five |
| Joseph glacier attracts around a quarter of a | | | | kilometres from the glacier's face (and with |
| million visitors each year, all hoping for an | | | | Westland National Park just 20 minutes away if |
| adventure that will bring them closer to | | | | you need a break from the glacier), there's a |
| themselves. | | | | chance to relax and 'set camp' during your |
| History... | | | | journeys. |
| Located in Westland National Park on the west | | | | There and back |
| coast of the South Island, the glacier has a long | | | | If you're looking for an adventure, chances are |
| history. First mentioned in a diary from the steam | | | | you're looking for one that will stay with you long |
| ship Mary Louisa in 1859 over a hundred and fifty | | | | after you've left the ice. A journey to New |
| years ago, it was named after the emperor of | | | | Zealand, walking in the footsteps of famous |
| Austria, Franz Joseph the First, by German | | | | travellers and discovering the sights is a great |
| explorer Julius von Haast in 1865. | | | | experience - but better is the knowledge that |
| ... and Mythology | | | | after you return home, you might have |
| Aside from names and dates, the glacier is rich in | | | | discovered a little more about your own explorer's |
| myths and legends, notably from the famous | | | | spirit. |