Aoraki/Mount Cook
January 30-February 1, 2009
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As a last stop before Patty arrived in New Zealand, I stopped for two nights at Mt. Cook village. Mt. Cook (also known by its Maori name, Aoraki) is the highest mountain in New Zealand, at 3754 meters high (12,316 feet). The Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is located here, which has exhibits on Sir Edmund Hillary, who is from New Zealand and was the first to climb Mt. Everest in 1953. Hillary used Mt. Cook as a training ground to hone his mountain climbing skills. The dome theater there plays space and science related movies. On Friday I visited this centre, since the weather was cloudy with sprinkles. I lucked out on Saturday and had nice weather, and was even lucky enough to see the mountain itself! I did the Hooker Valley day walk which takes you up the valley toward Hooker Lake and Mt. Cook. On Sunday it was raining in the morning when I left the village to bus to Christchurch, so I hit the weather window just right!
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Fri. Jan 30: Got my steak dinner last night—was good! A guy from Germany was eating alone at the restaurant and invited me to join him, had a nice chat. On the bus this morning at 8:05 to Twizel, where I had lunch at a café while waiting for the bus to Mt. Cook (actually a van). Nice ride up here with a few stops for pictures. Sprinkling rain this afternoon, went to the Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and saw some movies.
Lake Pukaki on the way to Mt. Cook, and the Mt. Cook YHA where I stayed |
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Sat. Jan 31: First chance to “sleep in” in a few days. Weather fairly good today. Saw the last movie at 10:00 then headed out on the Hooker Valley Track. The track gives views of lakes, glaciers, and mountains, including Mt. Cook, which was mostly “out” a good part of the walk! Got some (hopefully) good pictures. Milky water coming down the rivers from “rock flour,” and there was ice floating in Hooker Lake. When the sun was out it was a bit hot, have to be careful to avoid dehydration again. Planning to relax at the hostel this evening, then 10:00 bus to Christchurch tomorrow morning.
Mueller Lake and Mt. Sefton, first swingbridge over Hooker River
Views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook, third picture has Mueller Lake and the glacier terminus |
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Sun. Feb 1: On the road to Christchurch, stopped now in Twizel for lunch (fish & chips). Roughly 4 hours to Christchurch from here—should arrive at 4:30. Good night’s sleep again last night (second in a row), even though in stuffy bunk room with squeaky door (thinks to the ear plugs!). Raining at Mt. Cook this morning, but not here in Twizel. (Later) Got to Christchurch just before 5:30 (an hour late?). Checked into Hotel So—pretty cool hotel!
Lake Tekapo |
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