Franz Josef Glacier

One of our must-see stops was Glacier County. Here on the West coast of the South Island there are many glaciers, and one of the easiest to access is the glacier at Franz Josef. So two days ago Ayu and I packed some water, a lunch (bread, cheese, an apple and some carrots), and set out on the longest hike up to the glacier (an 8 hour one). At the information site (called i-site here) we found out part of the trail was closed off because a rockslide wiped out a staircase - making it impassable. But we decided to try it anyways and get as far as we could. If it turned out to be true, we would turn back and consider ourselves better off (because of the exercise). If not, then maybe we'd get to see something most people don't. Either way we win. Right?
Well not exactly. I found out about 1/3 of the way through that our trail (unlike many other ones) hadn't been maintained in a long time (I estimate 30 years). There were sections that weren't even trail! In the above picture you'll notice my right foot is clean while my left is very dirty. This is because the trail was washed away by a river and we had to navigate our way along the rock-strewn shore to find where the trail picked up. I misjudged where dry land was and found my left leg shin-deep in muddy sand (It should be noted that we still weren't sure where to go and we had to turn around - at which point my other foot did the same thing - but at least they matched).
Here I am crossing one of the many streams. Very cold water (from a glacier remember), but very clear and shallow. Neither of us fell in, but even if we did it wouldn't be far or hard. The other just would've laughed I'm sure. In addition to streams we had to climb over many fallen trees that crossed the so-called path.
But there was nobody else on this trail. Because of that we did get to see things most tourists don't. Like wild animals that were sleeping on the trail. The mother and her baby stood there just long enough for us to snap a few pictures (and the mother peed - maybe we scared it out of her) and then they were off in a flash! I read that when settlers arrived in New Zealand, they brought animals with them (which they released into the wild and hunted). It took me some searching, but I finally figured out that these animals are called Chamois and are a mountain goat commonly found in Austria! But now they are one of many animals hunted in New Zealand.
Some wild orange mushrooms (Don't worry mom, I didn't eat them).
And finally... the glacier. This view is still relatively far away, but remember 8 hours of hiking.Me drinking the glacier water from a waterfall (actually its an optical illusion - I just have my mouth open and the waterfall is in the background).
Then we came to the glacier. These signs made sure that we knew it was very dangerous to go near it. For those who are too lazy to enlarge the picture it says the following:

Extreme Danger
Ice may collapse at any time.
Do not proceed.

Access beyond this point is unsafe for experienced or unguided parties due to hazards such as steep drops and slippery or unstable surfaces.

But I wanted some good pictures of the glacier, so I stepped just around the sign and snapped a few. If Ayu and I had crampons (metal spikes you strap to your feet), more food and water, and some emergency communication devices (and not been so tired from all the walking), it might have been different. We still would like to walk on a glacier, but maybe somewhere else :)