New Zealand - Part Three

After making it through the Haast Pass, we reached the west coast and went North to Franz Josef. It is a small village about two blocks long, and there are many outdoor activities available. We first took a "quad" ride through the countryside and down the riverbed which drains the Franz Josef glacier and into a rainforest filled with all types of beautiful ferns. He booked a helicopter trip and were delayed for a couple of hours while the weather cleared. The pilot finally said it was clear and off we went, right up the right hand side of the valley to the glacier. At slightly over 5,000' we were on top of the glacier and landed. The pilot kept the engine running and we got out and took several picutres and listened to a short lecture by the pilot. We then turned around and went down the right hand side of the glacial valley and back to Franz Jofef. This was a highlight of our trip. Simply georgeous scenery.

On our first trip, we were on the eastern side of the Southern Alps and flew to Mt. Cookm, the highest mountain in New Zealand at 3764 meters, or 12,349'. Mt. Cook and Franz Josef Glacier are pretty close together. There is an airport in the valley below Mt. Cook where the Hermitage Hotel is located. We got into a C-185 equipped with retactable skis. This plane is a high wing model, and the skis fit over the wheels. When we departed from the paved runway, the skis are retracted above the wheels. On our way to the glacier, the pilot lowers the skis so they are at the same level as the bottom of the tires. What a thrill to alnd on the glacier! It is an "arrival" in that it is a firm landing. Being a pilot myself, I asked him how he trained for this and he said the biggest problem was the lack of any references which makees depth perception difficult. The glacier is just a white expanse and it is difficult to determine how high you are above the ground. He said that you just slow the airplane to approach speed, lower the flaps, and wait! I've heard seaplane pilots say they have the same problem when the water is dead calm. After the "arrival", we taxied and did a 180 deg. turn to face downhill and shut the motor off. It is almost like being in church. Quiet and simply awe inspiring.