Climbing the mountain is a technical challenge crossing large crevasses with a risk of rock and ice falls, avalanches and rapidly changing weather conditions. The first attempt to climb the highest peak was in 1882 by two Swiss climbers and it is believed they came within 50m of the summit and it was successfully summited in 1894 when New Zealanders Tom Fyfe, John Michael Clarke and George Graham reached the top.
Unfortunately, Aoraki/Mount Cook, is also NZ's most deadliest mountain, with over 80 people perishing on it’s slopes.
However, the area is not just about extreme mountaineering. There are plenty of activities for all levels of fitness and technical ability and you’ll find something to challenge you in this National Park.
As people were coming to grips with the travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 epidemic and the loss of their potential overseas travel plans, the focus turned to New Zealand and what we have to offer the intrepid traveller and the adventurer at heart.
The strange thing is, that for overseas visitors, New Zealand is considered the adventure capital of the world, yet we often look overseas first for our next adventure. So while in isolation, as most New Zealanders did I am sure, I got to sorting out the spare bedroom and came across photo albums from back in the day.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Adventure Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Adventure Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Papua New Guinea
Four reasons to add Papua New Guinea to your bucket list
The benefits of being a Multi-Trick Pony
"A broad skill base and how you can draw from one platform to the next – women often pigeon hole themselves"
The RELUCTANT adventurer
An eighteen-year-old princess, who paints his (yes, his) nails and dyes his hair bleach blonde, embarking on an adventure trip with his family, sounds like a plot for a bad 80s movie.
The Meaning of Tramping
What does tramping mean to you?
Keala Kennelly owns Red Bull Magnitude
The North Shore season of 1957 is recognized in the surfing world as the start of an era. When Greg Noll, a young Mickey Munoz and company went out and rode Waimea for the first time, it was a glimpse of what could be in the world of big-wave surfing.
North West Circuit Stewart Island
I found myself in limbo during the winter of 2020, in between jobs in a strained covid economy. And so, I did what any outdoors person would do with a large amount of free time on their hands. It was time to pack up my belongings and hit the road. It was time to leave behind home comforts and go adventure-seeking.
Emilie's adventure to Angelus Hut
“I want to be the leader!” Miss Six announced, pushing past me in her determination to be in front. Momentarily off-balance with my heavy pack, I narrowly avoided twisting an ankle on the sharp rocks and silently swore while cracking a bright smile.
Nancy Jiang Breaking stereotypes
I recently watched a youtube movie entitled, “Her Way” (check it out on the Adventure Website) which introduced a woman who had an overwhelming passion for running. The preface at the bottom of the clip, read as follows:
Adversity at Altitude
The wind and snow is whipping at my face. I’ve readjusted the stiff frozen fleece buff around my neck and mouth, desperately trying to protect myself from the -20 degree bitter wind. Adrenaline is still pumping through my body but I know I’ll start to get cold soon.
Last Great Mountaineering Challenge
Ground-breaking mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE has attained an incredible new world record by submitting K2 as part of a collaborative team in the depths of winter. Until now, it was a record that was believed to be impossible to accomplish and was famously known as the ‘last great mountaineering challenge’.