Safe Close-up Glacier View
Posted on 08. May, 2009 by Campbell in Inside New Zealand
Tourists are now able to safely get up close for “spectacular” views of Franz Josef Glacier, which had for the past three years been much less accessible to visitors. The Otago Daily Times reports that a team from the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Franz Josef Glacier Guides have set up a new viewing area just 60m from the glacier’s terminal face. This has been made possible by changes in the Waiho River caused by recent flooding The team has set up markers and a rope barrier, and visitors should now allow 90 minutes for the return walk along the river bed to the glacier viewpoint. Walkers could expect wet feet at small creek crossings. There are hopes that the vantage point will remain for a while, but it seems Mother Nature calls the shots.
Source: Otago Daily Times