So today we have booked to go for a heli-hike on the Glacier. I was both really looking forward to it but also rather worried as I have the ability to fall over while standing still so the options available while walking around on ice are endless! The first bit of good news was that it is actually clear this morning and not too windy so the helicopters are flying, the second bit of good news is that you get given crampons which in theory make it easier to walk round in the ice. We had to checkin at 8.30 so that we can fill in a form that basically signs away any rights we may have if anything goes wrong then it was time to be kitted up. We were provided with shoes, waterproof jackets, gloves, hats, socks, over trousers and a natty little red bag containing the crampons. By the time we had kitted up we were quite warm and it was time to be weighed to be allocated a seat and then walk across to the helicopter. This company only runs 2 helicopter at a time so although there were 4 groups we had to wait while the first 2 groups were taken onto the Glacier, we had forgotten but on the way up you have a scenic flight which takes you on a Zigzagging route across the Glacier to the ‘helipad’ which is basically a flat bit of the Glacier marked with stones. We were met by Michael our guide who showed us how to put the crampons on and how to walk in them, he also gave us a pole although later on I did feel that 2 would have been better. All the same once you got going it wasn’t too bad, I had a few moments where I wasn’t sure where to put my feet but mostly it was ok. I am not sure how long we were on the ice for but I think it was somewhere between and hour and two as we seemed travel quite a way. It is fascinating to be on the Glacier as for the most part the best place to walk is actually on what looks like the melted snow rather than the top as it tends to be firmer and also you are less likely to slide as you are already at the bottom. We saw some fantastic formations and the different density brought out many different shades of white and blue. We stopped by the camp of ‘trainee guides’ who were learning how to follow tracks, while we were watching them a parrot flew down to where they had left their lunch, he actually knew how to open the zip and was determined to get at their lunch despite our guide throwing snowballs at him. All too soon it was time to turn round and come back down but this was ok as when we were getting back into the helicopter the clouds started coming over just the top of the mountain, I don’t think it will bring rain or snow but it would mean that it would be rather chilly at the top. We landed back at the bottom, gave back all the clothing we had been supplied with then went round the corner for a pizza and beer. Thus afternoon we decided to walk to the base of the Glacier, unfortunately you can’t get to the actual base, but you can get to within a km or so. The walk is along the valley floor and quite monotonous but occasionally there is a fantastic waterfall to look at. We spent quite some time looking at both the waterfalls and the Glacier when we reached it, we could see where the helicopter landed and it was strange to stand looking at where we had been walking this morning! By the time we had walked to base of the Glacier and back it was almost 6pm so we went back to the apartment for a relax, another really good day.
