A guide to hiking Mount Cook in New Zealand in winter

New Zealand winter ❄️ Mt Cook (Mt Cook) hiking strategy | Hong Kong women's physical fitness test: 3 introductory routes + Info Center life-saving Tips, rainbow in the rain + floating ice wonder too shocking! Hiking on Mount Cook in the winter? Many people will say, “It’s cold and you still have to walk?” But as a “physical scumbag” who usually gasps when walking up the stairs, I have to say: winter is the hidden Easter egg of Mount Cook! Although it’s been raining all the way and it’s freezing to your fingers, seeing deep blue glaciers, green ice lakes and sudden rainbows, and the kind of vision of Frozen stone elves at any time – this kind of “lucky” landscape is the charm of winter hiking! This time we will explain 3 zero-difficulty introductory routes, as well as Info Center's "life-saving strategy", so you can rush with confidence! Hong Kong girl's winter hiking record: It rains to be surprised, the scenery is all "blind box opened" At first, my girlfriend and I were afraid that hiking in winter would be too hard, but when we got there, we realized: Mount Cook in winter is another world! During the hike, we sometimes saw snow-capped mountains covered by dark clouds. After walking a few steps, it suddenly cleared up. The top of the snow-capped mountains was exposed. It was simply "opening the blind box". Once it was raining lightly, we walked slowly while holding on to the umbrella. When we turned a corner, we suddenly saw a dark blue one Glaciers are embedded in the snow-capped mountains, the lake is as green as emerald, and there are pieces of floating ice slowly falling into the lake. Just about to take a picture, the rain stopped - a rainbow rose from the edge of the ice lake, the moment really cried out, that all the cold and hard work was worth it! 3 Mount Cook winter introductory hiking routes: physical fitness small waste can hold, beautiful scenery is not inferior to the high difficulty line 1. Hooker Valley Track (3 hours round trip | Difficulty ★★☆☆☆): Suspension bridge + ice lake, first choice for hiking beginners • Route Highlights: Mount Cook’s most classic starter line! The whole way is flat road, only a little gentle slope, the most beautiful thing is to walk 3 suspension bridges, swaying walk over, next to snow mountains and glaciers, at the end there is a Hooker ice lake, in winter the lake has broken ice, the sun shines. • Hong Kong girl body sensation: My girlfriend and I walked very slowly, and stopped from time to time to take pictures, 3 hours was no problem, there was a rest kiosk in the middle to sit and rest, replenish the hot water. • Winter essentials: Wear waterproof hiking shoes! In winter, there will be water and thin ice on the road. If you don't wear waterproof shoes, your toes will be wet in minutes. You should also bring an umbrella or waterproof jacket, and the rain will come quickly. 2. Kea Point Track (1.5 hours round trip | Difficulty ★☆☆☆☆): Shortest time to see the glacier panorama • Route Highlights: Shortest, easiest distance! From White Horse Hill campground, it’s flat all the way, and there’s an observation deck at the end with a view of the Tasman Glacier and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. • Hong Kong women's physical sensation: After walking, you still have the energy to buy a hot drink, which is perfect for getting up in the morning to "warm up" or when you don't want to leave for too long in the afternoon. • Hidden Eggs: There is a chance to see kea birds (an alpine parrot endemic to New Zealand), they are not afraid of people and will circle around you, but don't feed them! 3. Blue Lakes Track (2 hours round trip | Difficulty ★★☆☆☆): Ice lake color magic, more beautiful in winter • Route Highlights: Beautiful names, more beautiful scenery! There are 3 small lakes along the way. Because of the minerals in the glacier meltwater, the lake water will take on light blue, dark blue and green, the lake is clearer and more distinct in winter, and you can see the main peak of Mount Cook in the distance. • Port Girl Body Sensation: The road is a little narrower than Hooker Valley, but still flat, when you walk to the lake, the wind is a little strong, remember to wear a hat and scarf to not freeze your neck. • Photography Tips: Go at 10 am or 3 pm with a good angle of sunlight, the most beautiful color of the lake water, and no backlit photos. A must-see for Hong Kong girls! Info Center "life-saving strategy": Staff are more reliable than boyfriends The first stop for hiking on Mount Cook must be the Visitor Center! My girlfriend and I didn't know it at first, but later found out that this was simply a "hiking lifeline", and the staff's advice was more useful than any strategy: 1. Route and weather "one by one": We said we were "physical crap" and wanted to know which line is safe today, the staff immediately found a map, circled Hooker Valley and Kea Point, said "today these two lines have no fog, safe; Sealy Tarns ladder has ice, not recommended. 2. Toilet "advance reminder": The staff specially advised: "Be sure to use the toilet in the Center before going hiking! There are no toilets in the mountains, resources are very lacking, try not to bring too much garbage, and do not dirty the rest pavilions along the way - the cleaning staff is very hard. 3. Civilized sightseeing "must-remember rules": Another very important thing - no drones are allowed in Mount Cook! Staff said it was to protect wildlife and keep the environment quiet, and violations would be fined; 4. Souvenirs and hot drinks “one-stop”: The Center also has a small shop with Mount Cook-themed souvenirs (such as postcards, local handmade jewelry), and hot coffee and hot chocolate for sale. Final summary of winter hiking: physical scumbags can rush with confidence! • Core mindset: winter hiking does not have to pursue "go all the lines", choose 1-2 introductory lines slowly walk, enjoy the "open blind box" scenery, do not be discouraged in the rain, maybe turn a corner to see the rainbow! • Must-have items: waterproof hiking shoes, waterproof jacket, umbrella, kettle, small amount of snacks (energy bars, biscuits), hat and scarf, and a camera! • Biggest surprise: There are fewer tourists in winter, you don’t have to be forced to take pictures with others, and you have the opportunity to see “exclusive landscapes” (like glacial lake rainbows, snow-capped mountains in the mist), which are experiences you may not have in summer! After the hike, my girlfriends and I unanimously agreed: Mount Cook is the most worthwhile time to visit in winter! Although my fingers were red and swollen from the cold, when I saw the deep blue glaciers and green ice lakes, I felt that "this experience in my life is really unforgettable" - sisters, physical scum can rush, quickly plan your trip! #Mt Cook Winter Hiking Guide #Hong Kong Girl's Physical Fitness Little Waste Trip #New Zealand Winter Must-See