• Karen HechingerNew Zealand 2025Traveler
    At the top of Sealy Tarns Track in Mt. Cook / Aoraki National Park
    A cloudy, drizzly day as we get startedOur first steps...one down, two thousand one hundred ninety nine to goKeep going Mike!Damp and sweaty, but not discouragedApres- hike reward and chores

    15. Stairway to Heaven - 2,200 Steps

    April 20, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    Mt. Cook (cont.)

    On Sunday we donned our rain jackets and baseball caps & headed out on a cloudy drizzly day for a trek up Sealy Tarns Track, a 3.3 mile, 1791 ft elevation gain path out of Mt.Cook Village. The path is nicknamed "Stairway to Heaven" due to the 2200 stairs that are part of the path.

    Am I getting too old for this? Heck, no! The trail was taxing but really fun. I proudly accept the nickname "billy goat" that Mike has bestowed upon me.    Read more