Final New Zealand Post -- Mt Cook

The REI Group at Sealey Tarns, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Leaving Queenstown early on November 20th we ventured toward Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, stopping along the way for, of course, a hike, led this time by our fearless co-leader Nicole Mulcahy, toting our mascot Shrek.

Nicole with Shrek

You may remember a news story from 2004 about a merino sheep named Shrek in New Zealand that hid out for years in a cave and avoided shearing until it looked cartoonish with  60 pounds of fleece.  It is a popular stuffed animal toy.

The Rest of the Group -- except Nadia, who had fallen off her horse in Queenstown

Rain and clouds for the most part prevented good views of Mt Cook as we hiked various tracks in the park.  Mt Cook is the highest peak in New Zealand, at 3753 meters.

Statue of Sir Edmund Hillary at Mt Cook Village

This statue honors the New Zealand hero who, in 1953 along with the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, became the first to summit Mt Everest.  Hillary spent much time climbing Mt Cook and environs in training for Everest.  Looking at photos from that time you see his leather boots, his canvas pack and woolen shirt and can't help but marvel at the accomplishment, ascending to 29,028 feet elevation.  Because it's there.

Mt Cook itself has a nasty reputation for killing intrepid climbers, as its base is so accessible -- you can drive right to the bottom and start climbing with shorts and tennis shoes if you so choose -- unlike Everest, where the approach to base camp is long and arduous.  Several times during our two days at Mt Cook we heard the thundering grumble of avalanches in the surrounding mountains.

Clear skies came and went while we were there

The hike up Hooker River to the Hooker Glacier was the second of three hikes on our last full day.  The lake there had icebergs floating in it.

Tasman Glacier was the third hike of the day.

Finally before we left, Mt Cook did show itself.  

Aoraki (Cloud Piercer) the native Maori people named it.

Lupine (or is it fireweed?) -- 22 November 2015

That day we traveled back to Christchurch airport and began what would be for most of us a looooong long day of trans-Pacific travel back to the USA.   Starting back on October 2nd, the entire seven week long sojourn of ours was an incredible experience for Shannon and myself -- seven weeks, six nations, and over 20,000 miles total distance covered.  We will treasure memories of those adventures the rest of our lives.  Thanks to all who contributed.