Aoraki Mount Cook Village was not the cosy collection of characterful old mountaineers lodges I was expecting. But modern, glassy and steel beamed. Edmund Hilary exhibitions, a gift shop, and 3D cinema no less. Stressed out DOCs in the DOC office were feverishly whizzing abacus beads around booking lines of tourists into huts, forcefully insisting they carry a plastic ‘Poo Pot’ with them in case of emergency, whilst frantically trying to keep anyone from deciding to investigate the main attraction itself ( Mt. Cook ) ‘too closely’. And for good reason. This mountain, the Everest of New Zealand, is a killer.
It was early afternoon by the time we arrived at the ‘village’, which is essentially a big sprawling hotel complex called The Hermitage. My plan was simple, head up to Muller Hut where I was informed great views were to be had, then stake out Mt Cook until I got an awesome photo!
After trying to book a couple of bunks in the hut for tomorrow (abacus says no), we decided to avoid the huts and stick to camping, which I think turned out to be a blessing in disguise. DOC lady didn’t seem too happy, but I told her we had plenty of ziplock bags if we couldn’t hold it in ;)
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