Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice, snow and rock that stretches
60km along the South Islands Southern Alps.
This unique landscape makes Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park the heart of mountaineering
in New Zealand. Offering something for everyone, from short day walks to technical mountaineering
routes.
All of this amazing alpine scenery can be seen from one of the more advanced alpine
tramps in the area.
The Mueller Hut Route.
The Mueller Hut Route takes you 11.8km straight up and back down the side of the Sealy Range,
climbing a total of 1000m in elevation. Since the whole tramp is in alpine terrain, there
are a few things you need to be aware of before heading off.
The best time of year to attempt the Mueller Hut Route is from December through to April.
Outside of this period, deep snow covers the track with avalanches being common at higher
elevations.
The average Summer daily temperature sits around 8 - 14 degrees and you can expect
rain for over 160 days of the year. It’s important to remember that you will be in
an alpine environment, which means there is a good chance you will experience heavy rain,
strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures, even in the height of summer.
So you’ll need warm and waterproof clothing, even on a nice day. A good pair of rigid tramping
boots, enough water to last the whole tramp. And finally, start your walk nice
and early to leave yourself enough daylight hours but make sure you pack a head torch
just in case.
If you are staying at Mueller Hut, then booking your night in will be essential between November
and April. The hut isn’t heated, so you will also need to bring a warm sleeping bag
along with all your food, and dining equipment.
As with all walks and tramps in New Zealand, make sure you leave your intentions with a
trusted contact and inform them when you have finished your tramp. You can find out more
about leaving your intentions at the Mountain Safety Council website.
Your tramp starts at Aoraki/ Mount Cook village on the Kea Point Track. This is an easy section
that takes you 2 kilometres up the valley through bush and alpine meadows. Alternatively,
if you’re staying or parked at Whitehorse campground a quick walk will bring you on
to Kea Point Track.
After a short stroll you’ll take a left turn at the junction onto Sealy Tarns Track.
This is where the going gets tough as you now have to climb approximately 520m up 2000
steps to reach your halfway point for the day, Sealy Tarns. Its steep and you are left
exposed with little room for error, so you may need to use your hands to maintain your
balance. The track narrows down towards the end and when snow is present this can easily
lead to slips and falls straight off the bluffs below.
Weather predominately comes from the North West, and will drop large amounts of rain
or snow as it passes up and over the Alps. There are no shelters or alternative routes,
so turn back if you see any bad weather coming your way.
2 hours into your walk you will reach Sealy Tarns. This is a good spot to have a break,
eat some lunch and catch your breath.
Sealy Tarns is also a crucial decision-making point as the track from here turns into an
advanced route. You’ll need to assess your group's fitness and ability, if you’ve found
it difficult climbing up to this point, then it’s only going to get harder from here
on. Look to the top of the ridge to check the weather, it changes much faster up here
than in the valley. Remember Mueller Hut is still 2 hours away so if you have doubts about
any of these, then we recommend you turn around and head home.
As this is now graded as an advanced route, the route is sometimes undefined. Follow the
orange marker poles and make sure you have spotted the next pole before leaving the current
one, especially in low visibility.
This section of the route is mostly dominated by tussock and boulders. As you move up the
slope, some sections will have you using your hands to scramble up steep rocky steps. Take
your time on these sections to make sure your hands and feet are secure to reduce your chances
of slipping. These boulders can be very slippery when wet, icy, or covered in snow.
The last section of the climb becomes very challenging as you have to ascend up a scree
slope. You may have to use your hands and watch out for rocks slipping from underneath
you. Take this section slowly when you are coming back down as descending on scree can
be quite difficult.
It’s common for snow to be present throughout the year here and this section has the highest
avalanche risk. So make sure you have the appropriate avalanche knowledge and equipment
to travel through here safely if snow is present.
Once you reach the top of the saddle you’ll need to make a left-hand turn and head South
towards the hut. It’s easy to miss this turn in low visibility, so be sure to follow
the route markers to stay on the right path.
At 1700m, the saddle will be significantly colder than the valley floor so take a moment
to put on warm layers.
It’s important not to rush along the final part of the route as you will be tired and
prone to making mistakes. This section is also the most exposed to wind so take care
if gale force winds are blowing. The terrain is very rocky with large boulders so take
your time and focus on where you’re placing your feet.
20 minutes later you’ll reach Mueller Hut. If you were here for a day walk, take a break,
check the weather, and make an informed decision on returning back down the mountain. If you’re
here for the night, rest up, and enjoy your sleep in the hut with one of the best night
time views in the world.
Before you begin your descent in the morning. note that ice is common while descending the
lower section of the ridgeline, as its sheltered from the early morning sun. So take care or
enjoy the view and wait for the ice on the surface to soften.
Aoraki/Mount Cook is a land of extremes, extreme terrain, extreme weather, but also extreme
beauty. Remember, aim to walk the route between December and April. Talk to DOC staff at the
Aoraki Visitor Centre to get the latest information on track conditions. Make sure you check out
the official Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park weather forecast at MetService.com.
If conditions are poor, as alternatives try the Hooker Valley, Blue Lakes or Tasman
Glacier walks.
Now get out there and enjoy one of New Zealand’s best alpine playgrounds.