These boots are made for walking

Aoraki day 2

We all slept well and woke well rested for the day of activity ahead. It took us a little while to get going (because someone wasn't pulling their weight) but we were looking for coffee and driving back towards Mount Cook Village by 7:30am.

The day was an absolute stunner and the journey around the lake towards a cloudless Aoraki was incredibly beautiful. Needless to say, we stopped for a few photos. 

We had decided that we would do the Hooker Valley walk the day before, so turned off to the beginning of the track and started our trek. The temperature at that time of the morning was perfect and the walking was very comfortable - even for myself in my knee brace. There were a steady stream of walkers, but it wasn't packed so we made good time and managed to take some great photos.

 Each of the swing bridges gave us a good marker of how far we had travelled. It was an enjoyable trail with some stunning views. In some ways the destination was a bit disappointing, but the opportunity to paddle my feet in the 3°C water of the glacier lake was cool. 

Of course, the boys just wanted to lob rocks at floating icebergs, so we ended up staying longer than we had wanted. Lunch was back at the car, so we had a snack and then made our way back. 

The temperature had risen as it was nearly midday, so the trip back was a bit hot and tiring. Lunch was then eaten and we drove into the Village to continue our activity. 

At this point Logan and I made the decision to do another four hour walk. My knee was feeling good, so we started on the Sealy Tarns track while Jonty and Jane did the sheltered, low intensity Governor's Bush Walk. This was really good for me. Lots of sun, fresh air, good exercise and outstanding views. It was a reminder that my cardio fitness was not where it should be, but I am a good stair climber, even with a strapped knee. I was on my third wind by the time we got to our destination - I was pretty done having climbed over 2,200 steps. The view at the top was incredible though. I whipped my boots off and paddled them in the tarn (mountain lake), which was surprisingly warm, and got some great photos of the alpine climes with Mt Tasman in the background.

I got chatting to a couple of Americans who came from Colorado. The young woman I spoke to was studying in Boseman, Montana - just an hour away from Eliza. 

Logan and I felt very blessed to see a kea fly past in front of us - swooping down and giving us a flash of its orange undercarriage - squawking, as it landed on a rocky outcrop. 

Feeling well rested and sufficiently cooled, we began the trek back down. This was much easier and I enjoyed encouraging the tired walkers who were making their way up. The descent was much faster than the ascent and we actually made very good time, arriving back in the village about 4pm.

I had seen too much sun and my legs were “cooked”, but I was very happy. I felt great!! I want more of this. 

Logan recorded 32,567 steps.

The trip back to Twizel was uneventful, though I still can't get over how beautiful the drive is, smoothly winding along Lake Pūkaki. 

We've had some great days, but this day has been my favourite so far. Back at camp we took it pretty easy as we hobbled around with our sore calf muscles, ate dinner, and went to bed looking forward to Christmas Day.