What was supposed to be a leisurely drive from Geraldine to the lakeside ski town of Lake Tekapo for an afternoon in the hot spring pools got cast aside when we realized the weather forecast was providing us with clear views of Mount Cook right up to the summit. And with cloud and rain forecast to swoop in, it was back into the van and pedal to the metal along Lake Pukaki for the hour and fifteen minute drive to the village of Mount Cook and the base of the mountain. Lake Tekepo and hot pools — we shall return!
Our day began with a tasty breakfast at Cafe Verde restaurant in Geraldine, just minutes from out campsite. After weeks of eating toast, fruit and yogurt in the van, it was time for a breakfast treat of French toast and eggs Benedict. Plus, no dishes to do afterwards! Geraldine is a quaint little country town with great shops and the fine MC art gallery displaying the work of NZ renowned artists as well as a few local artists.
Arriving in Mount Cook village just after 2:00 p.m., we had a quick lunch with a terrific view of the mountain.
Finding the DOC campsite, we parked the van and from there, hiked the Hooker Track, a 3 hr return tramp that takes you through the valley, over a couple of suspension bridges, past Mueller Lake and finally arrives at the iceberg decorated Hooker Lake.
From there the can see the terminal face of the Hooker glacier with some full-on-in-your face views of the Mount Cook/Aoraki itself.
There were also mini icebergs in the lake, which Jenn tried to take home...
We tried to ignore the rumbling noises of falling ice/rocks which we could hear throughout the night from our campsite... Yikes...
As promised, the skies were clear, the sun was beaming down and Mount Cook revealed its very best side (its backside...well... west side!). With the weather scheduled to turn tomorrow, we feel fortunate to have caught the very best of NZ's highest peak.
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