Cloud Piercer

Last weekend we travelled into the heartland of the south island - MacKenzie Country. I was keen to see Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, this time from the ground. My last sighting was on my flight back from Invercargill. It is otherwise known as Aoraki in the Maori language, meaning 'Cloud Piercer'. Unfortunately, this name was very apt and we didn't get a view of the summit. However, the weather was beautiful east of the divide and I managed to get some other nice pics. I also got to stop at Omarama - a gliding mecca due to the unique standing waves of air formed by the mountain divide, allowing world record breaking flights. Sadly no winter flying seemed to be occuring, but it was still a gorgeous sight.



On the road to Lake Tekapo.



Lake Tekapo and church.



Lake Pukaki:



View towards the Tasman Lake and Glacier, with Mt Cook hidden in the clouds:



Our Toyota, looking very little...



The snowy road to Mount Cook.



The Mount Cook Village is nestled up in the foothills of Mt Cook. Long a tourist destination for mountain gazers and climbers, it served as a base for Sir Edmund Hillary while he trained for the first ascent of Everest. From the village, it is a mere 20km or so to our old friend, Fox Glacier. However, due to the formidable nature of the main divide of the Southern Alps, the closest way to get there is a further 5 and a half hour drive over 450km of road. So we didn't get to stop by this time!

The Hermitage - the main feature of Mt Cook village - is a mountain retreat with awesome views of Mount Cook... when the cloud isn't there that is! Also, a salmon farm up in MacKenzie country. You can feed them for free:



Omarama - world famous gliding location due to the unique weather conditions created by all these huge mountains and the consistent nor'wester wind. Sadly this was the only aircraft not safely stowed away for the winter in a trailer or hanger:



Lovely views of lake Benmore:





And Char found a treasure:



And then it was time to head home. A round trip of a mere 740km, 10 hours driving, in one day!