Hike 29: Hooker Lake Valley Track, Mount Cook
Lake Pukaki, the color is real despite the dull day (Alpine minerals effect) Precipices don't intimidate Jenni—swing bridges apparently do. Hooker Glacier with Mount Cook behind the clouds and mist. Mueller Glacier, partly mud covered, appearing through the mist A guidebook suggested that Hooker Lake Valley track has the best views in New Zealand. Bold statement, we thought. The qualification given is that on a cloudy day, ‘ go somewhere else’ . We left Wanaka and stayed in Twizel (Twizel?) overnight before heading for the ‘Big Cook’. It was the first poor weather day we have encountered this trip. As we only had a day planned for Mount Cook because of accommodation issues, we took a chance. Clearly, the views were below expectation but terrific and the hike was reasonable at 11kms but no real test. However, we had time to ponder the issues of life instead of gazing at the partly hidden scenery. Jenni perceptively mentioned that we saw more of Mount Cook from Wanaka (150 mi...