Aoraki/Mt Cook Level 2 Geography adventure
By Samuel Crump and Jack Ussher | Posted: Thursday May 9, 2024
Last week, our Level 2 geographers headed to Aoraki/Mt Cook.
Day 1: Wednesday, 24th April 2024
After loading up the vans, we set out from Otago Boys' High School, bound for the Unwin Lodge. Stopping in Oamaru and Tekapo, we caught glimpses of the diverse beauty that New Zealand offers. As we wound our way through picturesque vistas, excitement bubbled within our group - as did all the V’s we had consumed - foreshadowing the adventures that awaited us. Not even the gloomy weather at Mt Cook could bring down our spirits.
We arrived mid-afternoon after our plane ride had been postponed to Friday due to the dense cloud which would have deemed our plane ride fruitless. After making a quick stop at Unwin Lodge, we drove the short distance to the visitor centre in the Mt Cook village. There we received our talk on Glaciers and the surrounding environment from Matt the DoC expert.
To finish off the outdoor activities for the day, we went for a pleasant stroll to the Mt Cook viewpoint where the cloud denied us a view of New Zealand’s highest point. Returning to Unwin Lodge, our first cooking group made an exquisite dinner led by Cormac. After the masses of dishes had been washed up by the dishes crew, Mr Scott indulged us in one of his favourite family games: Scattergories. Ms Moore’s van group came out on top. We went to bed with full stomachs and high hopes for the next day’s activities.
Day 2: Thursday, 25th April 2024
Dawn broke over the magnificent peaks of Mt Cook, beckoning us to embark on another day of discovery. The breakfast group was up at the crack of dawn (6.30am) to cook us our delicious breakfast. With backpacks laden with kestrels and notebooks ready to record our findings, our group set out on the Red Tarns Walk. Amidst the lush vegetation, we collected data for our Alpine Zonation research task, discovering the secrets of plant life through the teachings of the knowledgeable Department of Conservation expert.
Next on the agenda was a thrilling boat tour across the waters of Tasman Lake, where we beheld the wonders of the Tasman Glacier. Among shimmering icebergs, we learned firsthand about the role of glacial movement in shaping the unique landscape.
Rejuvenated by a hearty lunch, we returned to the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Visitors Centre to further develop our understanding of the geological forces that shaped the landscape before us.
Day 3: Friday, 26th April 2024
As the morning sun painted the peaks of the Southern Alps gold, we embarked on the iconic Hooker Valley walk. The frozen paths and thrilling swing bridges offered astounding views of the rivers and lakes and the imposing Mt Cook, towering over Hooker Lake and Glacier.
But the adventure didn't end there. In Tekapo, we boarded an Air Safaris plane and soared high above the landscape, getting a bird's-eye view of the azure Lake Tekapo and the geographical features sculpted by millennia of glacial processes.
After returning to the vans, we began the journey back to Dunedin, stopping in Fairlie where we indulged in pies from the renowned Fairlie Bakehouse. As we returned to the familiar halls of Otago Boys' High School, we carried with us more than just great memories - we carried a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our country’s landscapes.
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