Tasman Glacier, Mount Cook ~New Zealand~
Posted by roughleyoriginals on January 28, 2012
We awoke at 5 am to rain. We were planning on doing a tour at 8 am, but when we heard the pitter patter coming down on Bingo, we turned off our alarm, rolled over and went back to sleep. We got up at 7 and the sun was shining. Oops.
Luckily there was another tour at 11 am, so we headed to the hotel and booked ourselves into the Tasman Glacier tour. We had a look around the hotel while we waited, which featured a museum about Sir Edmund Hillary. He is a Kiwi who, along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was the first person to climb Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary trained on Mount Cook and has had a huge influence on outdoor activities in New Zealand for his whole life.
After we finished looking around the hotel it was time to head to Lake Tasman for our adventure of the day. It’s only a short drive and a twenty minute walk to some stunning views.
Walking towards the lake, you can see our tour boats at the edge of the water.
Gareth with Lake Tasman behind. Please take a moment and admire his lovely hair.
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On the water
Oh my goodness. As you can see the rain disappeared, the clouds parted and the sun shone down. We were on the opposite side of Mount Cook that most people see, staring at Tasman Glacier at the end of the lake, with icebergs (YES! Icebergs! Too cool, right?! hahaha…I amuse myself) floating around the lake.
Our lovely guide Amelia told us about the Tasman glacier at the far end of the lake, and how the many icebergs have broken off. She took us between the icebergs, and even up close enough to touch one. A chunk broke off while I felt it, so I passed it around the boat.
Gareth is eating an iceberg. I don’t think he ever thought that would happen.
Still absolutely loving his hair. I’m so lucky.
New Zealand, you amaze me. This is a sight beyond my imagination.
The lake sits in what is called a Moraine shelf. The iceberg has broken and shifted the land a huge amount as it receded, advanced, and receded again. Looking at it in relation to the other boat in the water gave it a lot of perspective.
Us!
Our lovely guide Amelia, with us!
After the tour I gave it our stamp of approval - the Roughley JUMP!
There is more to come from our time at Mount Cook. Stay tuned.
Shauna & Gareth
