Evening sun highlights Mt Cook viewed from Mueller Hut across a deep valley
Alpenglow on Mt Cook viewed from Mueller Hut below Mt Ollivier

Mueller Hut + Mt Ollivier via Sealy Tarns (Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand)

Jim Brisbine·
Family TripsNew ZealandMt Ollivier (NZ)
·34 views

Trip Date: December 18-19, 2015

2015 NEW ZEALAND ADVENTURE VACATION

Mt. Ollivier Hiking & Scrambling Trip

Sealy Tarns
Mueller Hut
Mount Ollivier (6342 ft / 1933 m)

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Trip Report Summary

Region: New Zealand

Sub-Region: South Island

Sub-Sub-Region: Canterbury / Waitaha

Area: Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park

Starting & Ending Point: Mueller Trailhead at White Horse Hill Campground on Hooker Valley Road (Elev. 2500 feet / 760 meters)

Way Points: Kea Point Track junction & Sealy Tarns & Sealy Ridge Viewpoint & Mueller Hut (trail hike & snow hike via Mueller Track)

Accommodations: Mueller Hut (Elev. 5950 feet / 1810 meters)

Sidetrip: Mt. Ollivier Viewpoint & Mt. Ollivier summit (snow hike & rock scramble)

Summit: Mt. Ollivier (rock scramble via North Ridge)

Approximate Stats (excluding sidetrip): 4.7 miles / 7.6 kilometers traveled; 3600 feet / 1100 meters gained & lost.

Approximate Stats (including sidetrip): 6.7 miles / 10.8 kilometers traveled; 4200 feet / 1280 meters gained & lost.

Trip Vicinity Map
Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park Location Map

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Full Trip Report

From our car-camping site at White Horse Hills Campground in Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park, Eileen, Brooke, Callum, and I did an overnight hike up to Mueller Hut. This particular hut is famous for its stunning view of New Zealand’s tallest and most alluring mountain, which is known by its dual indigenous and colonial names: Aoraki and Mt. Cook, respectively.

Eileen, Cal, and Brooke At Sealy/Mueller Trailhead

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Day 1 (AM): Trailhead to Mueller Hut

After a cold, windy night in the campground, we were delighted to wake up to a warm, sunny morning. We shouldered backpacks and followed the gravel-covered Sealy/Mueller Trail as it climbed steeply via hundreds of well-constructed wooden steps.

Wooden Steps On Sealy Tarns Trail
View Down Hooker Valley From Trail
Eileen and Jim On Sealy Ridge

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We made a brief stop at Sealy Ridge Viewpoint, then continued hiking southward on a broad ridge. Snow was encountered on the ridge, but the low gradient made for fairly easy travel. We arrived at Mueller Hut in early afternoon (4.7 hours from TH) and unloaded gear at our assigned bunks. It appeared that the hut was at its maximum capacity of approximately 24 people.

Eileen Approacing Mueller Hut
Brooke and Cal Nearing Mueller Hut
Brooke, Cal, and Eileen Approaching Mueller Hut

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Eileen In Mueller Hut Doorway
Mount Cook From Mueller Hut Deck

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Day 1 (PM): Mt Ollivier Summit Climb

For an afternoon diversion, we all scrambled up Mt. Ollivier, which stands closely south of the hut. The ascent involved fun Class 2-3 scrambling on solid rock. Unfortunately for us, clouds were swirling around Mt. Cook, preventing a fully unobstructed view of the Southern Alps monarch.

Scrambling Up Mount Ollivier
Eileen On Ridge Above Mueller Hut
Mount Cook and Hooker Lake From Mount Ollivier

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Cal, Brooke, and Eileen On Mount Ollivier
.Jim, Eileen, and Mount Cook On Mount Ollivier

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We returned to Mueller Hut (1.5 hours RT) and spent the rest of our afternoon and evening visiting with other guests. Just before bedtime, I peeked out a window and was thrilled to see Mt. Cook bathed in alpenglow. I rushed outside for a long look and found the soaring, rugged, chisel-shaped peak to be equal parts irresistible and intimidating!

Alpenglow On Mount Cook and Other Peaks

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Day 2 (AM): Mueller Hut to Trailhead

We had a leisurely morning in the hut before heading back to the trailhead, which we reached shortly after noon (4.0 hours from hut).

Mount Cook and Sealy Tarn & Hooker Lake From Upper Trail

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Route Map & Profile

Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier Route Map (CalTopo)

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Mueller Hut & Mt Ollivier Route Profile

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Click to enlarge…

Eileen, Cal, and Brooke At Mueller Trailhead
View Down Hooker Valley From Trail
Wooden Steps On Sealy Tarns Trail
Eileen On Trail Above Hooker Valley
Eileen and Jim On Sealy Ridge
Eileen On Trail To Sealy Tarns
Eileen, Jim, and Mount Sefton From Sealy Ridge
Eileen Approacing Mueller Hut
Brooke and Cal Nearing Mueller Hut
Brooke, Cal, and Eileen Approaching Mueller Hut
Eileen In Mueller Hut Doorway
Mount Cook From Mueller Hut Deck
Scrambling Up Mount Ollivier
Mueller Hut From Mount Ollivier Ridge
Eileen On Ridge Above Mueller Hut
Mount Cook and Hooker Lake From Mount Ollivier
Cal, Brooke, and Eileen On Mount Ollivier
Jim, Eileen, and Mt Cook From Mt Ollivier
.Jim, Eileen, and Mount Cook On Mount Ollivier
Blue Steel On Mount Ollivier
Alpenglow On Mount Cook and Other Peaks
Alpenglow on Mt Cook viewed from Mueller Hut below Mt Ollivier
Mount Cook and Sealy Tarn From Upper Trail