Clan Haley

Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

Yesterday we got ourselves packed up and on the road heading north again with the eventual aim of making it to Lake Tekapo. On the way we had a bit of a surprise for James (and I) booked. The drive was pretty spectacular as we wound our way up and over Lindis Pass. It felt like we were leaving the high peaks and into a mellower (althought equally as pretty) set of mountains. The sides were less vertical and with fewer sheer water falls. Instead the slopes were made up of subtle ridge lines that looked like fingers as they stuck out of the mountains. Throughout our drive across the South Island we have been treated to some spectacular fields full of in bloom Lupins with colours ranging from white, to pink and deep purple. At a junction just after Twizel we tunred left to hug the shoreline of Lake Pukaki and headed up towards the Tasman Glacier. We made it all the way to the White Horse Hill campground where we stopped for a bite to eat and a stroll up to Kea Point. Normally I would have suggested a walk up the Hooker Valley Track, but its currently closed at the first bridge. The walk was short, but the sun was well and truly shining so we made sure to add some extra sunblock. At the top we were greated with some amazing views over the Mueller Lake with Mount Cook in the background. It wasn't a cloudless day, but it was as close to perfect as you could ask for.

After getting back to the car we made the short journey down the valley to our surprise at Glentanner. I should add that James and I have never been in a Helicopter before so Laura decided to treat us to a flight up the Tasman Galcier. To say James was excited is a little of an understatement. We got weighed, did our saftey breifing before hoping in. The views were unreal as we made the short flight up the valley. We could see the expansive Tasman River Delta before reaching the foot of the Tasman Glacier. We flew right up past Mount cook and stopped for a short break at the top of the valley. Just above us was the Kelman Hut and the summit of Mount Alymer. James loved running around in the fresh, untouched snow. We jumped back in the helicopter to fly back down the valley right past the Hochstetter Icefall that feeds the Tasman Glacier.

After that we settled back into normality for an hours drive to our accomodation in Lake Tekapo.

This morning we got up and headed to the Dark Sky Project. Lake Tekapo is world famous for being a dark sky reserve. They have (if the weather plays ball) some of the most amazing views anywhere in the world of the nights sky. The Dark Sky Project is a tourist attaction that talks you through not only the stars and what you could see here, but also the Maori history with the starts. Our guide was great with James and told us loads about how Maori people used the stars to navigate and to know when to hunt. After that we had a quick visit to the Church of the Good Shepard on the shores of Lake Tekapo before lunch. After lunch we drove up to the summit of Mt John where Canterbury University have a few telescopes. We had a great wander with a few geoaches found. Unfortunately for me the weather hasn't cooperated with my plans to look at some stars. Ever since we arrived we have had almost 100% cloud cover. Hopefully I get lucky some other time.

Tomorrow we have a long drive as we make our way even further north towards Hanmer Spring and eventually Kiakoura (where the whale watching is).