After an early breakfast, we headed around Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook National Park, for a day hike. Our destination was Mueller Hut, at 6,000 feet, with a stop for lunch at Sealy Tarns (4,260 feet). From that spot we would have a great view of the Huddleston Glacier, Mt Cook and the lakes below. After a stop at the visitor center to get oriented to where we were, we geared up and took to the path. We were forewarned that the route was like a stair master from hell, but we were also told it was like a stairway to heaven so off we set. I would say it was more like the former — steep and narrow steps, mostly wood with gravel, but with an occasional set of rock steps, and pretty much straight up. It took about 90 minutes to climb the 3,500 feet, and the heart and thighs complied, although not completely willingly.
At the top (Sealy Tarns) we were rewarded with stunning views, a brisk wind and a large picnic table. Some opted to carry on up to Mueller Hut, while others sat and enjoyed the view, and had some lunch before heading down. Every once in awhile we’d hear what sounded like thunder, only to be told it was an avalanche! We didn’t see any, but heard half a dozen. The hike down required diligence and hiking poles, but since the sun had shifted there continued to be astounding views.
Once down, several of us opted to take an additional hike along the river to Hooker Lake, having heard of the amazing swinging bridges. It was fairly flat (compared to the morning’s hike), and we could hear the rushing of the water as it made it’s way down from the glaciers, into the higher elevation lakes, and then down again to the valley. The swinging bridges would sway with even one person crossing over, and the sign of a max load of 20 people meant you needed to pay attention to who was coming and going. There were further jaw-dropping views and I was surprised by how very fast the water was moving downstream — clearly gravity was playing a critical role.
We returned to the van, and while waiting for the group to reconnect we watched in surprise as a tour bus driver threw all his passenger’s luggage onto the grass, swearing that he would never do another tour. He even went into the bus cabin and tossed all the carry on stuff onto the side of the parking lot. There was only one person connected to the people on board around at the time, and he kept trying to get the driver (who was from NZ) to calm down. When all the luggage and carry on was in a pile, the bus pulled away, leaving the man alone with all the baggage from his group. As the rest of his group arrived (it appeared to be a bus full of Korean women), it was not surprising to see their complete shock at the state of their affairs — national park, luggage along side a parking lot and no bus! Nothing we could do, but a highly entertaining spectacle.
Once back at our house we rushed to the showers and then to the wine and finally to dinner. It was a long, strenuous and eventful day, with astounding vistas camaraderie of shared experience.
Updated with photos…
I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t make it across the swinging bridge!
AWESOME! I’m sure your heart was thumping on the bridges!