Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

The morning view across Lake Tekapo

We spent much of the day hiking through Mt Cook National Park. We were so excited - the weather report said light rain early then clearing.  Well, it was just the opposite, so we never did get to see Mt Cook, but we enjoyed the nature walks nonetheless.

We started in the Mt Cook Visitors Center. The atrium was neat and if not for the cloudy skies, you'd be able to see Mt Cook from this view.

 

This is a tarn, similar to a mountain goat.

Our first nature walk started with the Kea Point track. It was 1 hour return and included great views of "The Footstool" (above).

We heard two loud rumbles when chunks of ice came rushing down the mountain slope of The Footstool. The color of the ice was blue and orange.

The start of the Hooker Valley Track.

Get it? Hooker. Like hook a fish. Never mind.

Our next hike was along the Hooker Valley, a 3 hour return which included a swing bridge over the Hooker River.

Another swing bridge, only this time it was above gushing glacier water. Brr!

The Hooker Valley

We made it to Hooker Lake and the end of the track.

The Hooker Glacier (or rather what's left of it)

That's me, crossing the second swing bridge on the return journey.

The remnants of the Tasman Glacier. Some of this glacier still exists below the icy lake.

If you look closely, find the tiny white spec in the middle of this photo. It's a chunk of ice. Looks small, doesn't it?  Now, see the photo below to get an idea of how "little" that ice cube really is.

Here is that tiny white spec from the photo above, zoomed 20x.

Those two yellow things are inflatable boats. Not so small after all!

Mattie and the Tasman Valley

Janie and the Tasman Glacier

Back at Lake Tekapo. Mattie showing off his stone skipping talents.

Well, that's it for Lake Tekapo. We were supposed to stay another day, but the forecast is calling for rain, so we're skipping town and heading over to Dunedin.