(Rly. Publicity photo.)
The Franz Josef Glacier, South Westland, New Zealand.
“Draped like a scarf on the shoulders of the Southern Alps”
The Franz Josef glacier descends 9,000 feet in 8 ½ miles, and reaches down to the low level of 692 feet, being there only ten miles from the sea. This river of ice extending into the lowlands has the distinction of running past tropical vegetation, and in summer its beauty is set off by the crimson blossom of the rata. The Franz Josef glacier and its equally famous companion, the Fox glacier, drain the greatest snowfield in the Southern Alps, which is 18 miles long by about 4 miles wide, ranging from 6,000 feet to 11,457 feet in altitude. The glacier glory of South Westland is world-famed.
Climb the mountains, and get thee good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy; while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.—L Muir.