January 10/23 – Sealy Tarns Hike

Be careful what you wish for. Our first hike appeared to be a rather benign effort part way up Sealy Mountain which is across the valley from Mount Cook. Little did we know. We (shamefully) took the van from Aoraki Mount Cook village to the White Horse Hill campground (10 minutes). Then it was backpacks on and we’re off.

Ah…. it was not benign. Nearly five hours, too many thousand steps to count, throbbing knees but a great sense of satisfaction later we returned to base camp. Who knew they could cut a track up a mountain sloped at 30-40 degrees. And not a traversing route but rather, straight up! The trail encompassed thousands of steps cut into the mountain supported by wooden and stone risers. It would have been impossible otherwise.

Our goal was a mid station called Sealy Tarns. Much further on was the Mueller hut for the uber serious (far beyond our skills and equipment). Although the primary view was of one’s shoe tops every rest or water break afforded spectacular vistas.

The hike down was challenging but we made it. The last 3 Kms on the Kea Point track back to the village was through meadows full of song birds and flowers. Priceless.

Tomorrow we test our cycling skills in an alps to ocean ride. Double yikes.