Heli Hike

When we woke up in the morning and peered out our window the sun was shining and the skies were blue, the perfect weather for a heli hike :)

We were told that we just had to wear a few layers on top and some thin trousers as not to restrict you when walking on the ice. We went down to the shop, checked in and then went to get our equipment. They supplied you with walking boots and ice talons which attached to the bottom of the boots and gave grip when walking on the ice a lot like spikes. They also gave us some thick woolen socks so you feet didnt rub and also some stylish woolen mittens.

There were 22 in total doing the heli hike so we were split up into two groups of 11 dependant on our confidence and fitness. I was in the best group :) anfd we were the first to get in the helicopter for our scenic flight up to the base of the glacier ice fall. When we landed we were greeted by our guide who showed us how to attach the ice talons before we started our hike up the glacier. It wasn't as cold as I had expected and I was fine with just two t-shirts and a fleece, my toes got pretty cold after a while but they wern't that bad. The views were absolutely amazing and I loved sliding down the ice and throwing huge chunks into thin ice to smash it up! Our guide took us amongst ice caves, pinnacles and seracs on this amazing alpine environment, It was awesome.

We even got to see a few ice blocks cracking at falling from above due to the sun heating it up and melting it, which sounded like thunder. I took so many photos as everything just looked amazing. We were hiking for about 2 hours by which time the sky above the glacier had totally clouded over so the afternoon heli hike got cancelled. Fortunately for us the helicopter was still able to come and rescue us once it had cleared a bit and we had another good heli ride back down.

Its another early start for me tomorrow as the bus is leaving at 7.30 to go to Wanaka which is the last overnight stop before Queenstown where I will be spending a few days so It is likely that I won't be able to update my blog until then.