Photographer Tom Rae:
‘The Milky Way emerges from New Zealand’s highest mountain on a winter night – a shot I’ve longed to capture. In rare alpine weather conditions, I embarked on a journey up the glacial valley one night. Upon reaching the lake, the scene that unfolded made me feel like I had landed on another planet.'
Campervans at Lake Pukaki (A rather crappy photo taken with rather poor resources)
I will never forget the two nights we spent at Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking; the scenery, the weather, the atmosphere... everything was perfect. I would come back just to be able to enjoy two more nights like that.
Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. Its height, as of 2014, is listed as 3,724 metres (12,218 feet). It sits in the Southern Alps, the mountain range that runs the length of the South Island. Lake Pūkaki is mainly fed by the braided Tasman River, which flows out of the Tasman Glacier. The Tasman Glacier is the largest glacier in New Zealand.
Time for the way down! 3h from Mt Ollivier to the car park, but because of a maintenance on Sealy Tarns Track had to stop and wait... 3h30 for the track to reopen and finish my journey! Insane sun but nice view, got a few sunburns as a souvenir. #hiking#mountain#Aoraki#Aotearoa#NZ
After a (very) windy night, hiked up to Mount Ollivier in the morning. Track steepy and not that easy to follow, need a little experience but definitively rewarding. #MtOllivier#hiking#mountain#Aoraki#Aotearoa#NZ
Installed the tent at good distance from the hut (200m mini otherwise you have to pay) then enjoyed the amazing view around with the #sunset light. #Aoraki#mountain#hiking#Aotearoa#NZ
#Aoraki Mt Cook, finally! After months saying I HAVE to go there, I made a stop on my drive back to Wānaka. Heard a lot about Mueller Hut, so decided to hike up there to have a look. Not an easy track even if surprisingly short (2h30 to the hut), but worth it! #mountain#glacier#hiking#Aotearoa#NZ
Mount Cook National Park, South Island, New Zealand.
The thing about this place is that, it is infact more breathtaking, untouched, and beautiful than its photos. I have fantasies about the solo road trip I had few months back on daily basis.