Explore New Zealand’s Mount Cook National Park: Hiking Mt Wakefield Adventures

This is a Grade 1 climbing route designed for a two-day, one-night adventure. Our initial plan was to set up camp near a small mountain tarn, but the area was completely covered in snow, making it impossible to locate. We had to resort to melting snow by boiling it or placing it in bottles and warming it with our body heat—a humorous yet necessary survival skill.

On the first day, we were treated to a breathtaking sight: the sun and moon shining simultaneously in the sky, with the sun setting on one horizon and the moon rising on the other. The next morning, we awoke to a mesmerizing flicker of light in the southern sky. When we snapped a photo, we discovered it was the ethereal glow of the aurora.

This route demands off-track navigation skills and the use with crampons and ice axes. It also requires the ability to self-arrest with an ice axe in case of a slip. The Mount Cook area is stunning from every angle, but the rock quality is notoriously poor and extremely loose. Despite the exposed nature of the route, I felt a strong sense of confidence and security with each step.

However, a minor mishap occurred on the descent. I stepped on a loose rock on the ridge and began sliding towards the cliff, ending up in a seated position. I tried to grab another rock to stop, but that one was also loose. Just as I was about 3 meters from the cliff edge, I managed to grab a more stable rock and finally halted my slide.

The descent is when accidents are most likely to occur, as most of your energy is expended on the ascent. After reaching the summit, the euphoria can make you feel invincible, leading to carelessness. On the way down, it’s easy to become complacent, and if you don’t pay close attention to your footing, accidents can happen.

I am deeply grateful to my classmate’s friend who, after I was left shaken, stayed with me, taking turns to walk slowly and carefully. Every stone seemed to be moving due to my post-traumatic stress, and their support was invaluable.

In my next post, I will share some incredible photos taken by a friend with a camera. If there’s interest, I will also consider writing about the essential equipment and courses for beginners in climbing.