Ice Arches

 

During a five-day trek through the rugged mountains of New Zealand’s South Island, we spotted an enormous ice arch at the foot of a distant glacier. We simply had to get closer despite the treacherous landscape before us.

Navigating the mountainside demanded plenty of caution. Upon reaching the valley floor, we pushed upstream towards the magnificent structure. As we drew near, the sheer scale of the arch became apparent – it was impressive, yet precariously close to collapse.

We approached with extreme caution, acutely aware of the danger posed by falling ice chunks. The arch’s unstable state was evident, with fragments regularly breaking free. While the prospect of witnessing its eventual demise was tempting, the unpredictable timing – potentially days away – made waiting impractical and hazardous.