Heli-hike adventures

Press, 16 June 1982, Page 18

Heli-hike adventures

Children carried on back; packs and 80-year-old grandmothers have experienced the grandeur of the Franz Josef Glacier.

A little more than 12 months ago the Mt Cook. Line began its "heli-hike" adventures. believed to be the only excursion of its type in the world.

Within minutes a helicopter piloted by Russell Cross takes passengers into an alpine environment.

From the air. the extent of damage caused by the flood in March of this year can be seen. Rocks and debris are still strewn across the road and in some places the road has disappeared altogether. Large moraine deposits and the steep ice-smoothed sides, of the valley walls come into sight and suddenly. the terminal face of the ice fall.

The glacier is fed by more than 2400 hectares of permanent snow, but is retreating bv nearly, one metre a day. The short, steep nature of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers mean that they.re-

act tjuickly to fluctuations in climate.

From the first photograph, taken in 1865. (he face was estimated to be about 900 m wide and less than 210 m above sea level.

In the last 50 years the glacier has retreated nearly two and one half kilometres.

Even in marginal weather the helicopters can still land at/ Luncheon Rock, the specially-prepared landing hut 800 m about sea level. Nearby, a shelter hut has been erected in case of any emergency and the guides also remain in radio contact with the pilot. The helicopter has taken five minutes to reach its destination instead of a halfday walk. Chief guide for Franz Josef, Peter McCormack, has led visitors, over the glacier for 35 years and he covers the ice with ease. The other guide is Rang! Tihirau who has had 17 years experience. Boots and alpenstock are provided but warm clothing is essential because conditions . change rapidly. Emerging from the helicopter it is a case of follow the leader as... the guides use their picks to carve chunks out of the ice for footholds.

A little adjustment is needed to adapt to walking on ice after such a massive change of environment. The climb appears to be gradual-until the party turns to look back at' the landing spot in the distance. There is some hesitancy, but with the'guides’ enthusiasm and a helping hand or two, everybody continues'to the main icefield. The crevasses and sheer blue ice of the glacier and the dramatic stillness' are impressed on all. - It is a very harsh and awesome place and an experience which is kept alive in the minds of the people who walk on the glacier.