Mount Cook disappointment

Today was the day we were supposed to take a plane ride to the glacier, land and walk on it. We were informed at dinner last evening that the glacier is too icy and the plane ride is not possible. Bugger, bugger, bugger!

We're encouraged to climb to the top of a ridge and view the end of the Tasman Glacier and the Tasman Lake. It is a steep climb. We start together but the gradient takes its toll on Carol's knee.

CJ somehow climbs to the summit. The end of Tasman glacier and Tasman Lake are seen over his shoulder.

The views from the summit.

It is a long way down to the parking area.

When he arrives at the bottom, his fellow travelers give him an ovation. Few, including CJ thought he could make it.

We tour the Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre.

There are several exhibits of vehicles and stories of both his career and the legacy he left in the Mt Cook area.

Before dinner we have lecture on the Hilary family legacy in mountaineering from George Hillary, the grandson of Sir Edmund Hilary. George and his brother are third generation mountaineers.

George shows a picture of him climbing a pine tree. CJ loves the picture. He often did the same in a neighbors tree when he was under 12.