Photo: Westland National Park Fox Glacier New Zealand

Snow covered hills on the Upper Fox Glacier in Westland National Park on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Westland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand surrounds the Fox and Franz Josef Glacier, but this picture was taken on the Upper Fox Glacier. Hiking, backpacking, mountaineering and helicopter adventures are a few of the activities that people take part in to explore the Fox Glacier in Westland National Park.To reach the Upper Fox Glacier, you are best to book a helicopter trip which drops you off and then you can hike and explore the fascinating glacier world. These particular parts are extremely difficult to reach if you are mountaineering through Westland National Park in New Zealand.Atop Fox Glacier, you will find ice caves, ice-clad summits and stunning rock formations created by the natural wonders of the world. The right equipment is needed to climb the Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier in Westland National Park, as we all know, ice is extremely hard to walk on at the best of times. ... continue below the picture...

... Once you reach the Upper Fox Glacier, the world is truly a different place. This area has some of the best alpine climbing anywhere in the world but you must be prepared as the weather can turn at the drop of a hat. Some experience in glacier climbing is advised as conditions can be treacherous at times and knowing what you are doing makes the world of difference in enjoying the wilderness that Westland National Park in New Zealand has to offer.Upper Fox Glacier in Westland National Park, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.