The sound of what seems like a bomb going off makes you instantly look up.
Then as if in slow motion, the masses of snow and ice roar down the mountain followed by clouds of misty snow and then, nothing, just silence. If you have never seen or heard an avalanche it is awe-inspiring yet even at a distance is still an unnerving experience.
You are not in any danger, well not from an avalanche, DOC clearly states that the Hooker Track has been designed for avalanche safety, but you need to stay on the track!
Aoraki, Mt Cook, is steeped in New Zealand history, it is our highest mountain and the one that has claimed the most lives. It oozes grandeur, like some alpine sentinel looking down on the mountains and valleys below.
The approach to Aoraki is spectacular, as the highest peak, you obviously can see it at a distance, as the approach road winds and turns you get visual snapshots of the mountain at a distance. As you get closer, incrementally the mountain gets bigger and more ominous. After passing Mt Cook Village you arrive at a large carpark at the beginning of the Hooker Track and the valley spreads out before you.
The Hooker Track winds its way through Hooker Valley to a better view Aoraki. There is a range of other tramps and huts in the area, but the Hooker Track is the most used and a great one-day hike for anyone.
Recently we walked the track and one of our party had an injured knee, but determined to do it she made it there and back the full eleven kms. due to the quality and ease of the track, a lot of which is bordered underfoot. The track is easy to follow and groomed, we came across families with young kids, even someone pushing a stroller (not probably a great idea).
From the carpark, you cross the Hooker River, and the track goes between old moraine ridges and humps. (A moraine is a fancy name material left behind by a glacier).
Close to the start but off the main track there are stone steps up to the Alpine Memorial, it is a stone structure covered in metal plaques honouring climbers that have died in the Southern Alps, there are a lot. It is sobering that surrounded by all that grandeur so many have lost their lives amongst these peaks. One quote stood out, “I am not gone – I am in these mountains, I am in the stars, I am all around you, always near, never far.” Just beyond the monument, there is an ominous view of Mount Sefton, 3,151-meters covered in snow, glaciers, and sheer dark cliffs summer and winter.
Along the Hooker track, there are three large swing bridges across the river or valley floor, in poor conditions the second of these bridges can be closed, but you would not want to be there anyway!
Across the first swing bridge, you get views over the Mueller Lake edged by Mount Sefton which notoriously drops avalanches that crash into the glacier lake below.
Proceeding up the track, which curves to the right above a small creek. You pass through a rock notch, which feels like a doorway to a surprise, and you then turn downhill to the Hooker Lake which expands out before you, icy green-brown, with icebergs as big as houses floating in the shallows. The flotilla of distorted icebergs fills the creamy, brown glacial, water and if you look up the lake, you will see the ice cliffs where the lake meets Hooker Glacier
There are tables to sit and take it all in or you can edge down to the shoreline and swim with icebergs if you want, cannot see that being too popular, the water is murky and as you would expect freezing.
The Hooker Track is an easy few hours walk but be aware it can change very quickly, you are in an alpine environment and there are risks. A friend and his teenage family set out on a warm sunny day with light warm winds to walk the track. But on their return, in only an hour and thirty minutes, the weather changed and they were buffeted by freezing gale-force winds so strong they could barely stand and a massive drop in temperature. The wind can funnel down the valley causing the temperature to drop rapidly. The ease of access and a large parking area can give a false sense of safety – so make sure you check the weather or check-in with DOC before you set out.
Quick Facts about the Hooker Valley Track walk DOC update
- Location: Aoraki/Mt Cook, South Island NZ
- Distance: ten kms
- Time needed: 1 hour 30 minutes one way – 3 hrs return
- Difficulty: Easy
- Mountain Bike: No
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Double back
- Elevation: 877m
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: No
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Cell phone connection is possible for most of the track
- Last Updated: Jan 2022
Some images and text has been supplied by clients mentioned
https://www.christchurchnz.com/explore/destinations/mackenzie
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