Mountaineering

Moeraki Boulders

Today we made our way further North to the roof of New Zealand, into the heart of the Southern Alps. Our first stop on the way was at Moeraki Beach, where there are some very unusually shaped boulders. The huge rocks have been rolled on the ocean floor for thousands of years, and subsequently smoothed into near perfect spheres. They are bizzare to look at, sticking up out of the sand, but very beautiful at low tide. We also stopped at Oamaru, which felt like going back in time about 100 years. They have dozens of old limestone buildings, and many craftsmen work here. I even found a bookbinder who makes and restores books using entirely techniques and equipment from the 18th and 19th centuries. All of this was truly fascinating, but the real highlight came later in the afternoon when we made it to Aoraki Mount Cook. Mount Cook is the highest peak in New Zealand, and I got to see it in style.

Taking to the Sky

We had the opportunity to take a helicopter flight around Mount Cook, and it was an opportunity I felt I couldn't pass up. It was an incredible day with barely a cloud in the sky, and I wasn't disappointed.

Mount Cook from the top of the Tasman Glacier

The flight was gorgeous. I probably took about 200 pictures in 30 minutes, and not a single one was bad. It was truly spectacular. The mountain is named after the explorer Captain Cook, but was made truly famous by renowned Kiwi Edmund Hillary. He trained here, on Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, for his ascent of Everest, and he always referred to Mount Cook as "one of the great peaks of the world." From the helicopter, it was easy to see why. Afterwards, we got another view of Mount Cook from the bottom of the Tasman Glacier. We walked about a mile to Lake Tasman, and took a boat between huge icebergs to the glacier terminus. I've never seen ice cubes so big, or so blue. It felt like sailing in the Antarctic. I even got to taste some of the ice.

Iceberg Sailing

The sun was setting as we made our way back to our hotel for dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Only 300 people live in Mount Cook village, the only attraction being the mountain. You aren't allowed to live there unless you work in Mount Cook National Park. It's clear that New Zealand is working hard to preserve this natural wonder. We also got to watch a 3D movie incorporating the Maori Creation myth based on Mount Cook and incredible footage from climbing expeditions and aerial photographers, so it's clear that this is a very special place to all Kiwis. It is truly beautiful and when I am able to add climbing to my list of adventures, maybe I'll find the courage and stamina to make my own attempt to visit the roof of New Zealand.

Someday