7th Jan 2011 - Another Day, Another Glacier (Mint?)
From Franz Josef to Pine Lodge Motel and Camping, about 70kms with a deviation to see Fox Glacier from a couple of different vantage points. So about 44 miles. We awoke to the sound of light rain so we weren't optimistic. Fortunately it soon stopped and patches of blue appeared in the sky. We got going at about 11am after I'd phoned my mum and we then headed straight for the 4 square supermarket for some lunch food. Then up and over a fair sized climb to get to Fox, with excellent views and improving weatherIn Fox we asked the info centre about places to stay between Fox and Haast and were told of this place - Pine Lodge. It's good value at $25 for a tent (50 for a cabin which takes two). Then we visited Fox Glacier - roped back 1km from the glacier face because the river is in flood after all the rain, so less fun than Franz Josef Glacier but evidently just as incredible a phenomenon. Met Steve and Carol (see previous entries) and took pics of our bikes and ourselves looking intrepid with waterfalls and glaciers behind us.We also went to the glacier viewpoint and also dipped our fingers in a hot spring on the way to the glacier viewpoint.
Then did the 35kms or so to Pine Lodge, crossing the Cook River where we think we glimpsed Mt Cook - see the photo. We passed a cyclist (from Minnesota we're told), with an impressive silver beard, who was speeding towards Fox. At Pine Lodge several cyclists were staying since it is a staging point on the way to Haast. Steve, Carol, a Dunedin biker, and us, all compared notes on cycling in various places, homesickness, Christmas, and other diverse subjects. We discussed people cycling in parts of Asia which reminded us of http://www.herebeelephants.com - the blog of the daughter of our former local Folk Club president - Viva El Presidente!
From Franz Josef to Pine Lodge Motel and Camping, about 70kms with a deviation to see Fox Glacier from a couple of different vantage points. So about 44 miles. We awoke to the sound of light rain so we weren't optimistic. Fortunately it soon stopped and patches of blue appeared in the sky. We got going at about 11am after I'd phoned my mum and we then headed straight for the 4 square supermarket for some lunch food. Then up and over a fair sized climb to get to Fox, with excellent views and improving weatherIn Fox we asked the info centre about places to stay between Fox and Haast and were told of this place - Pine Lodge. It's good value at $25 for a tent (50 for a cabin which takes two). Then we visited Fox Glacier - roped back 1km from the glacier face because the river is in flood after all the rain, so less fun than Franz Josef Glacier but evidently just as incredible a phenomenon. Met Steve and Carol (see previous entries) and took pics of our bikes and ourselves looking intrepid with waterfalls and glaciers behind us.We also went to the glacier viewpoint and also dipped our fingers in a hot spring on the way to the glacier viewpoint.
Then did the 35kms or so to Pine Lodge, crossing the Cook River where we think we glimpsed Mt Cook - see the photo. We passed a cyclist (from Minnesota we're told), with an impressive silver beard, who was speeding towards Fox. At Pine Lodge several cyclists were staying since it is a staging point on the way to Haast. Steve, Carol, a Dunedin biker, and us, all compared notes on cycling in various places, homesickness, Christmas, and other diverse subjects. We discussed people cycling in parts of Asia which reminded us of