Four day mountaineering attempt on Mount Burns in the Southern Alps and Mount Cook NP. Our base town was Mt Cook Village. We climbed from Mt Cook Village to Mueller Hut (1830m) and were then trapped in the hut for two days due to a severe storm front (>140km/hr winds). As shown in our video below.
A weather window appeared on the 3rd day and we left the hut ascending towards the Annette Glacier using the high route below Mount Olliver and Mount Kitchener. Unfortunately further access to the Metelille and Sladden Glaciers was not possible via Annette due to open crevasses.
Making the decision to turn back we established camp at 1830m to wait out another severe storm front with winds again upto 120km/hr (according to the Mt Cook NP weather report). Knowing this we took measures to ensure our camp survived the night using heavy rock anchors and suitable tent orientation.
The next morning we descended the high route to Mueller Hut and Cook village.
The DOC later told us that two Australian's attempting to climb Mount Malte Brun (also in Mt Cook NP) did not have such a comfortable night when their tent was completely destroyed and had to activate their emergency beacon to be rescued by helicopter!
We plan to attempt Mount Burns via the low route from Mueller Glacier in a few weeks time. However we may again be turned back due to open crevasses and glacial retreat.
For more images of this tramp goto the following page -> PicasaWeb Album of Mount Burns
A weather window appeared on the 3rd day and we left the hut ascending towards the Annette Glacier using the high route below Mount Olliver and Mount Kitchener. Unfortunately further access to the Metelille and Sladden Glaciers was not possible via Annette due to open crevasses.
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| Melissa enjoying the views from the top of the Annette Glacier. |
Making the decision to turn back we established camp at 1830m to wait out another severe storm front with winds again upto 120km/hr (according to the Mt Cook NP weather report). Knowing this we took measures to ensure our camp survived the night using heavy rock anchors and suitable tent orientation.
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| Camp below the Annette Glacier at (1850m). We were later hit by a fierce storm all night. But the mighty Macpac Olympus and generous boulder supports and guides handled easily. |
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| View from the rear door of Mount Cook. |
The DOC later told us that two Australian's attempting to climb Mount Malte Brun (also in Mt Cook NP) did not have such a comfortable night when their tent was completely destroyed and had to activate their emergency beacon to be rescued by helicopter!
We plan to attempt Mount Burns via the low route from Mueller Glacier in a few weeks time. However we may again be turned back due to open crevasses and glacial retreat.
For more images of this tramp goto the following page -> PicasaWeb Album of Mount Burns
Static view of the Route
For a Dynamic view of the route using Google Maps, Click here.
Hi-- Greetings from Stanford :-)
ReplyDeleteAwesome Brad and Melissa. Thanks for sharing your adventures-- I am loving following your adventure-- Isn't technology wonderful?
Love your adventure and share it in the comfort of my living room-- as you so rightfully say in your U article-- Each person has their level of adventure :-)
Hope you make it next time ---thinking of you
Condolences, I read of a fatality.
ReplyDeleteTravelling o/s can be dangerous.
Beware and pray.