What is the Fitness required for Fox Glacier Full Day Hike?

Question

I'm going to NZ in Dec/Jan and am tossing up between booking the Fox Glacier Half-day or Full day hike (which is 7 hours). The website is vague (above average fitness). I would like to get some views on this. I do have average fitness (i'm going to start working out more). But i would like to have a variety of views to make a decision.

Answer 1

In the NZ tramping clubs (which cater for all ages and stages of fitness) trips are classified as easy-- moderate to easy-- moderate--moderate to difficult, and difficult.

Your 7 hour trip would probably be in the "moderate" range.

You wont get fit for this trip in a gym (although working out will increase you lung and heart capacity).  You'll have to do walking, preferably up and down hills, and at a brisk to fast pace.

I hope you enjoy the glacier experience - it would be far more interesting to do the Full Day option.

While you are on the glacier, do NOT go off the path or under any ropes or wires. Many tourists seem to regard this practice as OK, but it is the locals who put their lives at risk to carry out the rescues.

Cheers,

Driver T

Answer 2

I lived at Franz Josef Glacier for a few months and did the half day walk on Franz ( as I was working in the information centre and needed to impart good info!)....I found it easy and I am NOT in good shape....

You have to walk to the glacier....Franz is closer to the car park that Fox ( In fact I never even made it there when I visited fox as it was pouring with rain and it took ages to get there)...when I was there around 10years ago the walk to Franz terminal was around 25mins, but its more now...prob closer to an hour ( they give you boots which I think you change into at the terminal, but I can't remember). The group walks as slowly as the slowest person and I found myself in the front pack as I was walking fine.

THe longer day trip goes further up the glacier and would need to have more stamina but I still wouldn't think it would be overly strenous and they are pretty good at waiting etc ( in fact thingking now they had 3 guides on our trip which each took a different speed group.....so I think its probably similar, but don;t quote me.

THe half day one was fine, but you didn't spend as much time on the glacier as I wanted to ( eg a couple of hours max as you have to add in the travel to the glacier, walking, getting up ladders and steps up the terminal before even really getting ONto it) ,so for more time on the glacier, I would think the full day would be fine for you.