We've had a pretty incredible time here in Franz Josef today, getting involved in a full day guided hike on the Glacier.

We checked-in with Franz Josef Glacier Guides at 8.15am, got kitted out in our waterproofs and boots and headed off to see the Glacier. It was a 40 minute walk alone to the terminal face, leading us through a rainforest and stream, and involved climbing a very precarious walkway on the side of a hill. You'd NEVER be allowed to do this kind of walking in nanny state Britain!

At the end of the path we got our first glimpse of the Glacier. It's pretty difficult to describe how awesome it is so I recommend having a gander at the photos. In the lower parts the ice looked dirty because it was mixed with debris from the rocks, but as we ascended the face we started reaching amazing blue ice.

There were eleven of us in our group and we followed the guide, zig-zagging up the glacier, uphill and then downhill, through crevases, on worn tracks and really dodgy ones. Our progress was quite slow because the guide was constantly chipping at the route with his pick to freshen it up for us to walk on. But some of the inclines were really bloody steep so it was good to have little breaks.

After about three hours of climbing we stopped for lunch. It is definitely the most wonderful place I have ever eaten a picnic - the views down into the valley were incredible! Once we'd done we spent an hour or so generally exploring the glacier, right through crevasses and ice tunnels (some of which I was amazed that we fit through). It was definitely not an activity for anyone that suffers from claustrophobia! But those tight squeezes (sometimes crawling on hands and knees) were definitely the most fun part of the day. And then we started the descent...

So we've spent about seven hours hiking today and we're a wee bit knackered. It will be a very quiet one tomorrow, mark my words!

Love you all x x x