Mount Cook
Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand characterized by a huge glaciated peak. The mountain's original name aws Aoraki or Cloud Piercer, which was given by the Maori - the indigenous people. The summits of the mountains are considered sacred by these people because of Atua and the other spirits that reside here. This is why when you climb the mountain, please do not stand right on the summit, as it is considered insulting. The name Mount Cook was given in 1851 in honor of Captain James Cook.
The mountain represents a significant mountaineering challenge with its massive bulk rising 3,000 meters from the valley floor. The mountain and almost 7,000 hectares of the surrounding landscape is protected by the Mount Cook National Park. The stunning alpine scenery of the mountains was recently declared by UNESCO as a world heritage. The mountain range is the most popular tourist destination in New Zealand with thousands of tourists visting it every year to see the park by trekking through it or by taking a helicopter or turboprop airplane over it.
Mount Cook also became popular because of The Lord of the Rings, where several shots of Mount Cook and Tasman were shown. The mountain was also shown in the movie Vertical Limit where the climbing shots of the movie were actually taken on Mount Cook.
Climbing Mount Cook is a serious undertaking and requires some very good skills in glacier travel, creavase rescue, protective systems, steep snow climbing and ice climbing. The Linda Glacier is the standard route on the mountain and sees the most climbers. It is rated grade 4- or New Zealand 3. Base camp is usually set on the Tasman Glacier at 2,400 meters. The climb up to high camp along Haast Ridge to Plateau Hut usually takes 10 - 12 hours. Summit day demands an alpine start due to ice avalanches along the route. The climb first follows an S pattern up the Linda Glacier avoiding many large crevasses. The route then attains the ridgeline on the climbers left up to the summit. The ice to 50 degrees requires fixed or running belays for this section. Round trip back to Plateau Hut usually takes 15-20 hours.
Another way to climb is to have the helicopter/plane drop you off directly at the Plateau Hut. Proper acclimitization is required first, if the climb is attempted from here.
Winter climbing (May to October) is also quite common. Like other peaks, weather windows are shorter and avalanche danger is higher. The ridges can also be heavily corniced. Use extreme caution.
The season's a bit earlier than it used to be due to warm summers and snow/glacier recession. November to early January are fairly reliable and crevasses are smaller. In February and March, routfinding becomes a major problem. Can be climbed at any time under more difficult conditions.
|
|
| General |
All the information you could possibly need or want about the Mount Cook Region is right here at your fingertips . . .
The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park covers approximately 70,011 hectares (over 270 square miles).
The longest glacier in the National Park is the Tasman Glacier at 27 km (17 miles) long and is up to 3km (2 miles) wide. At the Glacier's thickest point, the ice is around 600 metres deep.
In 1894, the first ascent was made of Mount Cook by three New Zealanders - Tom Fyfe, Jack Clarke, and George Graham.
There are approximately 750 different native flowering plants in the park.
Approximately 40 species of birds are found in the Park.
The average rainfall in Mount Cook is approximately 4000mm (157 inches) per annum, and rain falls on average for 149 days every year.
Snow lies around the village for an average of 21 days every year.
Temperatures can range from above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) to below minus 10 degrees Celsius (12 degrees Fahrenheit).
The village has approximately 120 permanent residents, who either work in the village, or reside with those who do! The population can rise to 300 during the busy season (November to March).
There are 158 named peaks in the National Park, which range in height from 1468 metres (Sebastopol) to 3754 metres (Mount Cook).
The National Park has 18 huts that are available to hunters, climbers and trampers in the area.
The National Park has 10 tracks, all of which are day walks.
The three major Alpine routes used by trampers are Mueller Hut, the Copland Pass, and Ball Hut.
An estimated 250,000 people visit Mount Cook National Park every year. |
|
|
| Targeted Activities |
Camping, Hiking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing |
| Season Availability: |
November to January
|
|
|
|
Wilderness Hiking NZ
|
|
Christchurch / Canterbury / New Zealand
|
Starting Price: $110.00
|
Kia ora. Welcome to Wilderness Hiking New Zealand.
We are a small team of passionate Kiwis dedicated to giving you an authentic New Zealand Wilderness experience. We can offer you an incredible var...
|
|
|
|
Alpine Expeditions
|
|
Christchurch / Canterbury / New Zealand
|
Starting Price: $45.00
|
Come and join the Alpine Expeditions team for an unbeatable day at some of New Zealand’s best Ski Fields in Canterbury’s Southern Alps. We offer tours and transport daily to Mt Hutt, Mt Cheeseman, Por...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
in Dutch
Home
Review Area
Get Listed
Search
Info & Bookings