Alex Knob Track

Friends of the sun,

I feel really guilty that I haven't updated you for so long, but somehow I just didn't get around to it and then I didn't have the right wifi again. There is a lot to catch up on and I will try to do that sufficiently in the next few weeks. If that doesn't work out, I will definitely do it when I start my job in July. Yes, you read that right - job. You might think that I don't even know what that is anymore, after almost 1 year without one - but I do know and I have fulfilled a little fan wish and will start working as a tour guide at the Hobbiton Film Set on the North Island of New Zealand in July. That is also one of the reasons why I haven't had as much time to write, because there was and still is a lot to do and research. Of course, I would be happy to recognize a familiar face in one of these groups. ;)

So much for what's to come - now to what's been. And it really has been a while, because I have already arrived on the North Island and have a lot to catch up on.

Among other things, my hike to the Alex Knob viewpoint. I did this hike on my last day in Franz Josef and it was really impressive and the views of both the glacier and the alpine foothills and the sea were breathtaking.

I started the track relatively early and was one of the first in the car park. The sun was slowly rising and I ate my breakfast muesli at the car park. It was too cold at the campsite and I used the slightly heated car. It was below freezing that night and I had to scrape the ice off the car before I could even leave.

The track was extremely beautiful and there were small surprises along the way, such as: a fallen tree, a small bridge, various viewpoints, and balancing acts on pieces of wood in the mud. In some of the photos, you can also get an idea of how thick and huge the trees are here in this jungle. Just cool!

I was lucky with the weather again, as I had a relatively calm day with pure sunshine and not a cloud in the sky. Franz Josef is one of the rainiest cities in New Zealand (due to its western location) and this weather is not necessarily to be expected. That was one more reason to make use of this wonderfully sunny but cool day and go hiking.

Once I reached the summit, I had a perfect view of the Franz Josef Glacier. However, both on the hike and at the top, the constantly flying helicopters annoyed me, which flew tourists to the glacier at regular intervals. And by regular, I mean CONSTANTLY! But that is currently the only safe way, and honestly, as a rescuer, I don't want to have 400 tourists without any knowledge walking around on the glacier.

Once at the summit, I took a short break in the sun and had a snack. Of course, I got a light sunburn here and later on my face, I could feel the usual slight pulling of the skin. But the view was so beautiful that I just wanted to stay sitting longer.

On the way back, I made a quick detour to Lake Wombat and then headed back to Fridolin-Christopher and then to the campsite further north on the west coast and a hot shower.

For the next day, I only chose a short walk and was looking forward to blue water. But more on that in my next post.

Very greetings,
and feel huuuuuugged.
Yours, Britta