Mount Cook

With Rene, Elizabeth, and their rented campervan in tow, we headed off Highway 8, connecting Wanaka to Tekapo, onto a road which skirts the side of the emerald blue Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook. If you google New Zealand, chances are that one of the first pictures shown is of this stretch of road, with Mount Cook in the background. This road in itself is a very popular tourist destination, as many people come just to take the very same picture of the road, Mount Cook, and Lake Pukaki. It is also very common to see Chinese newly wed couples standing in the middle of the road in full wedding attire begrudgingly moving to the side for parades of rented campervans. I think this behaviour is somewhat justified, the lake is just as blue as Lake Louise, and the mountain range are the largest, and probably the most dramatic in New Zealand. But the highlight is truly Mount Cook, or Aoraki as it is known to the Maori. Unfortunately, our view of all but the hordes off campervans was obscured by the rain.

While Mount Cook is tall by any standards, at 3700m, it is truly remarkable because of it’s snow jagged nature and provenience. Also, it is accredited as the mountain in which Sir Edmund Hilary (Kiwi, and along with Tenzing Norgay was one of the first people to climb Mount Everest) cut his teeth climbing. As tribute The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre was set up near an existing hotel to showcase his achievements, the surrounding area, and mountaineering in general.

Our initial plan was to spend a few days in the area, take some pictures, go for a few hikes, and stop at the Alpine Centre. Unfortunately, our plans were changed due to the weather, so we decided to hideout in the Alpine Centre until the rain let up. The centre was really interesting. I think what blew my mind the most was just how ordinary Edmund Hilary was, like everyone has an uncle with his personality ordinary. Except for his unquestionably insane sense of adventure, I guess.

The rain did eventually let up, the skies partially cleared, and we were finally granted a view of Mount Cook. Framed by clouds, it was surreal. I could also probably attribute that to herd mentality, as everyone had stopped whatever they were doing to get unreasonably excited and take pictures. We headed off to nearby campground, set up our tent, and got in a short hike up to a view point of the mountain range. We returned to the Alpine Centre that evening to watch a movie on Alpine Search and Rescue in the area. Just watching it was traumatizing, I don’t think I could save alpine climbers for a living. We returned to the campground and tried or best not to freeze, as it nearly dropped below freezing, something Lisa and I have not experienced in over a year.

Mount Cook area was very beautiful, and should definitely be a stop on anyone's trip regardless of activity preference. The hiking opportunities, and even biking opportunities in the area are suited to one of the most dramatic places in NZ. Oh, and bring your wedding dress if got one, you’ll fit in.Read more