Adventures of Stable Mable and Grace

Last full day in Franz Josef, with plans to head to Greyhole tomorrow. There Maris will have her job interview and hopefully soon after we will be on the road to christchurch where we hope to find a vehicle. Fingers crossed. From there we want to travel north to find better weather and check out potential new homes. I just have this feeling in my gut though that I will end up living in Wellington, but that may be because Im so burnt out from mountain life and cant wait to reach some civilization.

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!

New Zealand week one

Life has been a whirlwind these past few days- 2nd full day in NZ and it already feels like home. So much is different yet I have established a potential routine and community. Arrived in Christchurch 3-days ago and wandered around a "wee bit" until our bus left for Greymouth.

As soon as we got to the west coast of the south island I stopped feeling like a tourist. First stop was the emergency room to get Johnny X-rays after his accident. (No broken bones.) There Marisa and I wand

ered the halls at 9pm weighing ourselves in Kilos and poking our heads in rooms. From there we went to Porky's, where we had the most amazing fish and chips ive ever had and discovered chicken salt-- amazing. Since then I have been smitten by the NZ foods. Everything from bacon cheese pastries to meat pies. After tramping around the beach for a bit, we headed Johnny and Bruce's bachelor pad in Franz Josef, which quickly became home.

Since then we have worked 2 very full days and are completely exhausted waiting to hear back

about the status of our potential new job. We have gotten to know the Franz Josef glacier and the surrounding rainforest quite well these past 2-days. We've learned how to use an axe to chop stairs in the glacier, attach ropes to the ice using ice screws so people can scale the side of the glacier. Have also become accustomed to being surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery i have ever seen. Its a scenery that cannot be explained in words. Just climbing that high into the glacier you have no idea what the ice will create around the next turn... and the fact that the ice changes everyday makes the interaction so much more dynamic.

Have also discovered Kea Parrots, which are quite possibly the most annoying birds that ever lived. They are apparently cleaver and most definitely not shy around humans. They will vandalize your

property- eating bike seats and windshield wipers, and squacking at the top of their lungs the whole way.

Although I dont feel completely comfortable with the community here in Franz Josef, they bring much comfort. We've been seeing the same familiar faces over and over again, and people are quick to invite you to a beer after work, or chat about your days exertion. Everyone is a transplant which makes connections fast and easy. People are also so laid back and calm it makes your worries feel so far away. Where this will lead me, i dont know at this time but i know i am happy to be here and excited for where this will take us. The 6,000 NZDs in 3 months is also a huge incentive. Loo

king forward to the next couple of days and hoping a job and van will come our way. more to come.

Stay tuned...