So, had an epic mission-- as a kiwi might say. Went up to Castle Rocks Hut at the tippy top of the waterfalls above the glacier. Took us about 5 hours to get up there. First 3 were on the glacier. We wore harnesses for the times we needed to be roped in in order to cross deep cravasses. There were probably 5 deep ones that we needed to cross. Johnny would usually cut a step or two for us and then we'd have to cross making sure not to look down because there was no bottom in sight. Some times there was a leap involved, sometimes a huge rock that just happened to be between the 2-pieces of glacier, yet other times there would be a narrow narrow pieces of ice to balance on. Doing this all with a pack on the back was a little tricky but we made it... And by the end had the new nick names Stable Mable (t) and Grace (m). By the time we had passed the glacier and got to the bottom of the ice waterfalls it was just after sunset and starting to get pretty dark. Head lamps went on and we scurried up to the top, which was about a 2 hour endeavour. There were loose rocks everywhere, which meant we had to strategically place our feet so we would not kick rocks onto the person below. I started to get pretty scared towards the top that we would not find the hut. We had been climbing for a couple hours and it was pretty much pitch black at this time. The rocks were covered in snow and icy. If you didnt have a solid footing you would just start slipping down the mountain and the backpack didnt help keep you on the mountain. We were able to all come together in the end though and johnny found the hut as promised. We cuddled up and ate ramen noodles, and night view of the glacier being lit up by the moon. This was most definitely the highlight. Such beauty at the top of it all. And such a crazy feeling of independence being up there all by ourselves. That we were able to collectively get up there. With that said, there would be no getting up there at all without Johnny. He did an awesome job leading our pack.
By morning time we had mostly all gotten toasty in our sleeping bags and woke up to fresh snow cover. It had snowed all night and there was about 7 new inches of snow outside. We slipped and slid down the mountain mostly on our butts. And then tramped across that glacier for one more hurrah. So a few more cravasses and steps later we were back at the landing having a beer and food.
All and all an amazing adventure and week here in franz josef BUT if i never see this glacier again that will be just fine with me. See ya Franz!
