Imagine clear blue skies with a cool morning breeze passing over a huge expanse of water, with snow covered mountains reaching up into the sky and their reflection reaching down into a lake. This was our morning view. The sight of the Southern Alps mountain range, with Mount Cook soaring three thousand seven hundred and twenty four metres above sea level is spectacular and we had the perfect conditions to see it in all its glory across Lake Pukaki, as we made our way there in our trusty hire car.
As soon as we checked into our hostel we headed straight back out to enjoy the magnificent views on offer. After a read through all the hikes available around Mount Cook and the surrounding mountain ranges at the information centre, we opted to do the Hooker Valley route. This was a popular walk which followed the Hooker River up towards a glacial lake at the base of Mount Cook. It was the track that got us closest to the mountain and gave Rich his first view of a glacier.
“As Rich bounded across the swing bridge I could feel the wooden planks beneath me rise up and down in a rhythmic motion.”
The walk was easy going which enabled us to look up and not at our feet, to take in the breathtaking views. After thirty minutes of walking the peak of Mount Cook started to come into view. With it’s snow shining brightly against the blue sky and green hills it was beautiful. Simply stunning. Then we came across an outdoor toilet with what has to be THE best view in the world. I know I’ve mentioned the view from outdoor toilets twice now whilst being in New Zealand but a toilet with a view of Mount Cook is immense! I’ve never seen better anyway. The walking track followed the Hooker River upstream and three swing bridges traversed the river. Named swing bridges not because they swing open like in Britain but because they literally swing beneath you. As Rich bounded across the swing bridge I could feel the wooden planks beneath me rise up and down in a rhythmic motion.
“With the sun beating down on us we couldn’t spend too long there.”
It felt like I was walking across an old wooden bridge held together with rope, except this was held together with steel cables. I couldn’t believe how much it moved beneath my feet and I don’t think the people walking the opposite direction from Rich and I could either. I think that was mostly to do with Rich’s enthusiasm to make the bridge swing as much as possible! When we reached the glacial lake we could see the Hooker glacier coming down off Mount Cook. There was a lot of rock on top of the glacier, so the only part that shone bright white was the exposed face that met the glacial lake, it was certainly a sight to behold.
We enjoyed our picnic lunch as close to Mount Cook as we could. With the sun beating down on us we couldn’t spend too long there as the track had no shade on it at all and we had to walk back. Although the views of Mount Cook were behind us we enjoyed fantastic views on our return as well. The Tasman ridge of the Southern Alps felt an arms reach away as our path followed alongside it, although we were glad to actually be far enough away to be out of danger from any potential avalanches!
“We were thrilled to have been so close to such a majestic beauty.”
At the end of the walk we stopped off at the Alpine Memorial, erected in remembrance of all those who have lost their lives on Mount Cook and the surrounding peaks. The sad news that the search for three missing climbers, all presumed dead, was called of on the fifth of January meant that plaques from fatalities this year could be added to the memorial. It was a sobering thought.
We were very glad to have chosen the Hooker Valley track to get to the base of Mount Cook and for the glorious weather we had too. The scenery was second to none and although we didn’t get near the summit, we were thrilled to have been so close to such a majestic beauty.
Lambs on the loose 