This afternoon I am going to do the Heli Hike with Alpine Guides on the Fox Glacier.

The helicopter is a very useful climbing tool: in a few minutes, you get whisked up to the interesting areas where you can walk amidst the ice pinnacles of Fox Glacier. On the way, you have impressive views of the advancing face, of the steep fiord valley walls and of the neve where all the ice originate.

The weather is cloudy but it's good because you don't have to wear sunglasses and the ice has more shades of blue. A warm fleeze, boots, crampons are provided.

Our guide is Steve, a very nice fellow. After landing on the glacier, it's time to move. Our guide told us that in the same morning, he discovered the most beautiful ice cave since the 6 month he worked up there and we are looking forward to go through it.

This cave is rare because it was formed by water flowing through it and eroding it the day before. The cave is quite long: it goes first for about 4 meters straight and then turns to the left and continues for about 6 meters.

On the first part of the cave, you can walk and stand, on the second part, you start bending for finally crawling and put your hand in the freezing water: that's a lot of fun : )

The ice inside the cave has a particularly intense blue color. It's like getting in another world! It's exhilarating and I can only compare it to skydiving and bungy: pure blue ice makes your brain releasing some adrenaline: Wahoo! Our guide waits for us at the end of the cave to help us stand up.

We then continue our journey on the glacier, to climb ice ridges, pass through crevices, duck under ice arches and slither though more beautiful ice caves.
Our guide tried to open a new route but he turned back after hearing the sound of an underground river: too dangerous. So we continue our glacier hike safely via the morning path. The landscape is amazing: white and blue with small and large pools of pure water.

There is almost no dirt here, only a bit in the pools. I find this walk very easy and relaxing as you get the feeling of being away from civilization...

The glacier is moving at a speed of 1 to 3 meters per day and even 5 meters per day in some steeper areas. Caves, crevices and all sort of glacier architecture are constantly appearing and disappearing. Our guide not only shows us the way, but shapes it, cutting steps to make our hike easier and safer.

We where a group of about 10 hikers with the guide and there was plenty of opportunity to discuss about the glacier formation.

After visiting a second and third cave, it's time to head back to where the helicopter is landing and after a rapid transition we are plucked from the ice and deposited back in Fox Village.

Time for a last aerial view on the Fox Glacier and to look from above at a fabulous sunset on the Tasman Sea.

Back to the helipad, we can see a very colorful bird: