Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
conditions at higher altitudes are severe and the tracks dangerous. If you intend staying at
any of the park's huts, it's essential to register your intentions at the DOC visitor centre
and pay the hut fee. Intentions cards are also recommended for longer day walks.
For the experienced, there's unlimited scope for climbing, but regardless of your skills,
take every precaution - more than 200 people have died in climbing accidents here. The
bleak In Memoriam book in the visitor information centre begins with the first death on
Aoraki/Mt Cook in 1907, and since then more than 70 climbers have died on the peak.
Highly changeable weather is typical here: Aoraki/Mt Cook is only 44km from the
coast and weather conditions rolling in from the Tasman Sea can mean sudden storms.
Unless you're experienced in such conditions, don't climb anywhere without a guide.
Check with the park rangers before attempting any climb and always heed their advice.
Fill out a climbers-intentions card before starting out - so rangers can check on you if
you're overdue coming out - and sign out again when you return. The visitor centre also
hires locator beacons (per three days/week $30/40).
Walkers can use the public shelter ( 8am-7pm Oct-Apr, to 5pm May-Sep) in the village, which
has running water, toilets and coin-operated showers. Note that this shelter cannot be used
for overnight stays.
Hooker Valley Track
Perhaps the best of the day walks, this track (three hours return from the village) heads up
the Hooker Valley and crosses three swing bridges to the Stocking Stream and the ter-
minus of the Hooker Glacier. After the second swing bridge, Aoraki/Mt Cook totally dom-
inates the valley, and you'll often see icebergs floating in Hooker Lake.
TRAMPING
Kea Point Track
The trail to Kea Point (two hours return from the village) is lined with native plants and
ends at a platform with excellent views of Aoraki/Mt Cook, the Hooker Valley and the ice
faces of Mt Sefton and the Footstool. Despite the name, you're no more likely to see a kea
here than in other parts of the park.
TRAMPING
TRAMPING
Sealy Tarns Track
The walk to Sealy Tarns (three to four hours return) branches off the Kea Point Track and
continues up the ridge to Mueller Hut (dorm $36), a comfortable 28-bunk hut with gas,
cooking facilities and longdrop toilets.
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