Friday, February 28
Today we hiked from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm!!! Another beautiful, clear, sunny, warm day.
We had seen pictures and really wanted to hike the Hooker Valley Track. It is actually known as New Zealand's best day walk.
It is a little over 10 km return and takes 3 hours, or 4 hours if you start from the village (which is why we drove up to the campground and started there). The sign said 1 hr 35 mins to reach the end from the start point. We took it at a moderate steady pace and let all the 30 year olds pass us (plus all the couples with infants in baby backpacks). We took 1 hr 40 mins which we thought was pretty good!
We had great views of Mt Sefton, this is the one we can see from our lodge window:
The track leads up the Hooker Valley towards Mount Cook. It has 3 swing bridges (suspension bridges) and ends at the glacier lake. Anton was not a fan of these bridges:
It was a nicely graded flat track. No need for the walking stick. One section had a long boardwalk:
We got to the end and ate a few granola bars and rested.
On the way down, we stopped to see the alpine tarn:
This is an alpine memorial for those who have lost their lives in these mountains:
The front listed one hiker and 2 guides who were swept in an avalanche in 1914. Then we went around the side and saw dozens of names. Mostly 20 year olds. Swept up in an avalanche. Fell off the mountain. Equipment failure.....
This is called Freda's Rock after Emmeline Freda Du Faur, the first woman to summit Mount Cook. Because she was a woman in 1910, she had to climb with 2 male guides and wear heavy skirts. They apparently took only 6 hours to make the ascent.
When we got back to the campground, we found a shady spot for "lunch". Just whatever food we have left at this point.
Also starting at the campground is the Kea Point Track. This one is about 3 kms and one hour return to the campground. It takes you to the Mueller Glacier moraine wall. This area was formed in 1913 when a stream cut through from a glacier, and actually damaged the original Hermitage building which was built in 1884.
This trail had spectacular views as well:
The Sealy Tarns Track branches off from the Kea Point Track.
It is 6 km long and considered challenging, mostly because of the 2200 steps you have to climb. It takes 3-4 hours return. We did about 10 minutes and then turned back. Didn't even get to the hard part yet.
We got back to our lodge, had a short rest, and then hiked the Governors Bush trail again. We just could NOT find the loop, oh well. It was still very nice: cool and secluded.
We had a close encounter with a New Zealand Pigeon:
No fancy expensive dinner for us tonight. We were quite happy to go back to the Chamois Restaurant and share a gluten free pizza!
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