Our first stop was Wanaka and from there we had easy access to both Aoraki/Mt. Cook and Mt. Aspiring National Park. We headed to Mt. Cook first loving the new found freedom of "Sly," our campervan.
We used the cafe at the Mt Cook Village to purchase some Internet time to let our friends and family know they weren't going to be hearing from us quite as much in New Zealand due to expensive rates and limited access (one of the minuses of campervan life). Then we headed up to Tasman Glacier at the foot of Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
 |
|
The hike was beautiful and the trail almost a highway, but it was very crowded. Tasman isn't the prettiest of glaciers as it is receding dramatically and is laden with sediment. Otherwise the peak was an extraordinary sight,a great half-day hike and not a bad place to soak your feet.
The next day we headed past Wanaka on a dirt road into Mt. Aspiring National Park and enjoyed one of our favorite day hikes in New Zealand: Rob Roy Glacier.
The hike itself was very nice, if short, through dramatic temperate rainforest. Once we got up a ways, though, the waterfalls started to come into view. The first one we saw poured off a high cliff and as the wind blew the water dissolved into mist. It was spectacular and photos just don't do it justice (so here's a photo).
A bit further up we realized this waterfall was just one of at least seven coming from the Rob Roy hanging glacier.
We reached the viewpoint, but once again it was a bit crowded so we headed down to the stream past where most ventured. The valley was not quite as spectacular from that vantage point but we took the opportunity the privacy presented to do a little glacial water skinny dipping. It was cold!
[PHOTO UNAVAILABLE]
We could glimpse Mt Aspiring at various points throughout the hike, but Rob Roy valley is really the highlight. Highly recommended!
Ewwwww... I did not need to know about your skinny dipping!!
ReplyDeleteVeronica