NZ tour- South Island Mont Cook NP 1/5 - Mt Cook glacier

 




Went to NZ to visit relatives and spent a few days at Mt Cook NP, hiking among glaciers.
The approach towards Mt Cook area is beautiful, high mountains, glacial valleys and huge flat plain, with glimpses of glaciers, total wilderness.
First hike is Hooker valley trail, a flat 6km walk along the contour of the valley over 3 suspension bridges, for a closer look at Mt Cook glacier. Very popular and hence we set off at 7am.



A fine sunny day, a bit cold at the early hours but changed to a hot day as the wind died down.
Easy hike and fun to walk the bridges, Mt Cook glacier is the highest peak and looks majestic. On the return trip, bus loads of tourists arrived and the atmosphere was different.



Came back by midday, after lunch and a nap, decided to do Red Tarn hike for a full view of the mountain range and the glacial plain.
It is a 300m uphill hike over around 1000 steps, it is not hard, finished in 45 minutes, just too sunny and no wind, hence too hot for the exercise. 


 
The view was worth it, the whole mountain range in front, and the dead flat immense plain far below, what a panorama.

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