Tramping at Mount Cook Village

Kia Ora!

A shivery lunch for Barb and KT

Dressed in our warmest layers of clothing, we huddled on a bench in Tekapo Springs eating the lunch we brought with us from our Timaru home base. While the sun was bright, the wind was brisk and the temperature couldn't have been much more than 7 C. (about 41 F.). We were on our way to Mt.Cook Village for a bit of tramping and, of course, eating at the fabulous buffet at the Heritage Hotel. We stayed in a lovely flat in the relatively new Aoraki Court Motel.

Trampers, with poles (Sarah, Sue)

 The first purchase Sarah and Sue made in New Zealand was to procure hiking poles. Perhaps they anticipated a more rugged country than they found? The only person traveling with a bag large enough to haul the collapsed poles was Barbara, and she carried them through all of our journey. Now they would be put to use!

Fast trampers gone, over the hill

The next morning, Sarah, Sue, and I drove to the DOC (Department of Conservation) campground and hiked in to Mueller glacier and lake. Sarah and Sue are much more able than I and walked faster and further, while I plodded on my own time.  My goal was to reach the second of three bridges crossing a fast mountain river. I went until I was fatigued but did not make the second bridge.

One of three bridges

While we were hiking, Barbara did her own hike around the motels' campus and spent the morning at the excellent DOC museum and i-Site.

Mueller Glacial Lake

Perhaps this is the case of the tortoise winning the day.  While others went further and no doubt saw the same scenery, still the mountains, clouds, river and fine day seemed to be all mine.

This is where I saw God

Tasman Valley and Tasman River

 On our last day, Sarah and Sue were up at dawn for another tramp in the Tasman Valley while Barbara and I slept in.

Hydroelectric Power Harnessed

Canal from Lake Pukaki

The scenery on our trip back out of the mountains was perhaps anticlimatic but worthy nonetheless of a mention. We took a different route, no less beautiful, which offers mention of two New Zealand industries. The glaciers and snow melt into fast moving streams and rivers. These are harnessed to provide electricity. Canals from the lakes feed into the rivers and are used to farm salmon.

Next, I comment on driving and we do more shopping (New Zealand loves us!).

Cheers,
Kiwi Traveler