Sealy Tarns
| Sealy Tarns | |
|---|---|
 Sealy Tarns Track | |
| Location | Sealy Range, New Zealand |
| Type | Glacial tarns |
| Basin countries | New Zealand |
Sealy Tarns is a small flat area with two small tarns halfway up the northern slopes of the Sealy Range, New Zealand. It is accessible from the Hooker Valley and Mount Cook Village via a tramping track maintained by the Department of Conservation (DOC).[1] The track climbs steeply from about 850 m (2,789 ft) to 1,300 m (4,265 ft) via many switchbacks and over 2,200 steps[2] built of large timber anchored into the ground. The track was established during the 1980s, and upgraded in 2012.[2] The distance for a return trek from Hooker Valley Road to Sealy Tarns is 5.8 km (3.6 miles).[3]
The Sealy Tarns area marks the end of the well-maintained track, with a popular tramping route that continues to climb to Mueller Hut.[1] The area features two small tarns (hence its name), an area suitable for tobogganing on the side of the ridge, and an excellent view of The Footstool, Aoraki / Mount Cook, both Hooker and Mueller Glaciers and their respective proglacial lakes, and Mount Cook Village.
Panoramic overview[edit]
This stitched panorama was taken in the Winter of 2007 in the afternoon. From left-to-right the notable features are:
- The route further up the ridge to Mueller Hut
- A snow-covered area with toboggan tracks
- Two DOC signs indicating the tarns area with the tarns themselves snow-covered in the background
- The Footstool
- In center of frame, top-to-bottom:
- Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Terminal face and glacial lake of Hooker Glacier
- Terminal face and glacial lake of the Mueller Glacier (compare to a photo from 2016 to see the retreat of the glacier)
- The wide flat-bottomed Hooker Valley (the village itself is hidden behind the ridge on the right)
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Mueller Hut Route". Department of Conservation. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ a b Al Williams and Fleur Cogle (9 April 2012). "Sealy Tarns walk back on track after facelift". Stuff.co.nz. The Timaru Herald. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ "Sealy Tarns in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park". hikespeak.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
43°42′48″S 170°04′26″E / 43.7132°S 170.0740°E
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