Any thoughts on the Tasman Glacier's awesomeness? In the LP Shoestring guide, it says it's kind of yukky because the way the glacier has melted over the last few years makes it unsightly with all the rock debris. But is it still cool? I really want to go to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, but damn they are really far out of the way and would add a LOT of drive-time into our already-tight schedule. I would love to see a glacier in NZ, so I'm trying to figure out if seeing the Tasman at Mt Cook is good enough or if I need to work out a different plan so I can get to the Franz Josef. (Note: I've seen glaciers in Alaska so it won't be the first time I've seen one. Not sure if that matters or not, but wtv.)
Thanks heaps
Christie
bravenewscum
1
retsbew
Well its pretty good - the largest glacier in the world in the temperate zone, and walking on it in the upper reaches is like walking on an enormous ice airfield - but if you've seen Alaskan glaciers it might not be so great. The lower stretches are covered in dull grey rock. Why not have a look on Google Earth and decide if you want to visit?
It all depends on whether you're in the vicinity of Mt Cook or not - there's a bit more to see around Mt Cook than just the Tasman.
2
becsclay
It all depends on whether you're thinking of taking a flight to the upper reaches of the Tasman, which is much the same as any glacier worldwide - snow and ice, with amazing views, or if you're just wanting to do a day walk to the terminus of the glacier - the lower part is melted (so no spectacular chunky ice) and covered in glacial till (in other words, grey gravel). Personally I'm not a fan of the Tasman, but there are heaps of other things to check out at Mt Cook so it's worth a visit there.
The West Coast glaciers are remote, but definitely worth the time spent getting to them. It's not often you find advancing glaciers in valleys amongst native beech forest, and there's lots more scenery and things to do on the coast. If you can, I'd leave making a final decision about where you go until you get to NZ and see the weather forecast - the weather here is extremely fickle and can change in an instant, unfortunately around most of our country theres not a lot to do in the rain!
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