On Wednesday, we walked on part of the track to Baikie Hut and spent time at Te Wakatipu / the Twizel River. This was a great chance to consider how the river changes at different levels of its journey. It was a very hot day; students managed themselves and supported each other admirably. That night, we had intended to camp at Baikie Hut but went back to Twizel instead due to the forecast wind and rain.

Thursday was a very wet day. We travelled to Aoraki Mount Cook, where we were welcomed at Aoraki Mount Cook School and DOC. Our accommodation was at Unwin Lodge, the NZ Alpine Club Lodge. Some whanau visited in the evening. In the last hour before dark, after the rain eased, we explored the area behind the lodge.

On Friday, we joined the masses of others on the Hooker Valley track but deviated off at Te Waewae Awa / Stocking Stream to visit the relocated and rebuilt Hooker Hut. Highlights of that day were the friendly responses of tourists to many high-fives, singing a waiata to Aoraki, listening to Mrs Nelson’s history stories, and a Karatī-inspired rock-throwing competition.