New Zealand: Mt. Cook - Mt. Cook iceberg and glacier

The reason why i skip Lake Tekapo to Mt. Cook trip is because i'm lazy to choose and edit photos in Lake Tekapo, there are like hundred and i don't think i will finished it in one post, probably 2 or 3.

But actually Mt. Cook is part of the Lake Tekapo trip too. I went to Mt. Cook hiking in the next day i reached Lake Tekapo. I have more photo in this trip so i could make it one complete trip post.

I bet you guys probably find this post is boring because there aren't attractive photos yet only foggy mountain photos and river and stuff. And i know you guys would enjoy lively video more than photo. I have video, but i bet you guys don't wanna see me in those video because I WAS SUPER UGLY AND I SWEAR NONSTOP.

Because you know what? HECK RAINING ICE IN SUMMER IS DUPER UNLUCKY! I'm the unlucky one. I cant stop swearing while ices in red bean size dropping / hitting on my body AND FACE!

So, better don't share the video here, although this post will be less fun.

Ok some basic information about Mt. Cook.

Mt. Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, 3754 metres. As high as you skydive lo.

Mt. Cook located in between of Twizzel and Lake Tekapo. That is like one hour or 60km +- away from Lake Tekapo.

Don't think Mt. Cook is just an ordinary national park, there is a small village beside Mt. Cook and if you wanna take the long track which spend you like 2 days 1 night on the mountain, you probably want to stay in the village a night before and check for the weather or seek advice in the i-site of Mt. Cook. FYI the weather in NZ changes in a minute. See me la! Who can expect ice raining in the summer! I only wore wind proof jacket and tore jeans.

There are few resorts and backpacker in the village, YHA is there too, but don't expect this is a huge and handy village. Oh yea the i-site is awesome, a mini museum underground and stunning view of Mt. Cook from the glass window in i-site would make you wanna go for the track.

We picked up Adi, a backpacker from Iran on the way to Mt. Cook, she was hitchhiking to Mt. Cook and we decided to go for the track together.

Aston and Adi didn't want to do the long track, so we do the short one, to the end of the glacier and catch some picture of iceberg!

Mt. Cook

Foggy Mountain

Snowing even in summer

Nice view

Cross this bridge and no return

Not that scary, i swing the bridge :D

Just don't look at the river below

Aston and Vivian

The river below the swing bridge

It is from the glacier

This track is not easy at all

We have to stepped on the water and soaked our shoes in almost all the time.

See the camera screen? Started raining.

A tiny house for rest on the left of the photo. Seem close right? It took me an hour to reached there. Hey i'm walking on the river k?!

To show you how danger. Che..

Adi and Aston decided to turn back because ice raining was getting strong, but that time Vivian and Julien were much ahead than us, and i was in the middle of them.

That was a struggle to make decision of turning back or moving forward, we were probably in the half way, but the track is a disaster, especially in such a bad weather.

I decided to move forward and let Aston and Adi wait us in the car. I was regretted for a when i found out the track behind is much difficult than the beginning, i have to walked on the river almost all the time because rain and ice was getting heavy and water was covering the rocky track.

But trust me, its all worth when you reached the end and saw the amazing glacier and iceberg, as you were in the south pole or fairy tale or something like this! So unreal!

Don't look for the photo of iceberg, we were too cold to hold the camera and took photo! Only Vivian was videoing and don't dream i will upload the video, hahahahahahahha.

But scroll down, you will see some photo of iceberg in the second track that done by Vivian and Julien.

There are 2 short tracks that you could do in Mt. Cook. The one i done is like 3 hours return (but we used more time because of bad weather condition), there is another one short, like one hour return, for those who want to have a look on iceberg you can go for the short one, but if you want glacier and iceberg, go for the 3 hours one.

Of course the short one has better track condition, not steep at all and much nearer. So Julien and Vivian went for 2, photos below taken by Vivian or Julien in the 2nd track without me. I was dying in the car that time.

Those i saw in the 1st track is much bigger and flow on a huge river lo. (Copyright under Julien / Vivian)

Very easy track (Copyright under Julien / Vivian)

The 2nd track (Copyright under Julien / Vivian)

If i have more time, i would really go for the long track which take 2 days. Of course with better ready la!

For those who are goin to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown, allocate more time and stop by in Mt. Cook for the track and salmon (in next post)! If you are too lazy to do all track but you wanna see glacier and iceberg, sit in front of your computer and look and search for photo la! Ok alternatively, there is a kayak tour that you can sit on the kayak and go close to the iceberg. Another experience too la.

Stay tuned for yummylicious post in the next!

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

20110224, 0323pm

Rach in hungry mood.