by Donna Lee

'Unlocking the Landscape' - Year 12 Geography Aoraki Mt Cook 2023

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A much-anticipated event on the Year 12 Geography calendar; two classes of intrepid students and three staff set off on our annual three-day alpine experience. The field research mission was to explore how this unique natural environment has evolved over time and to gain insight on how humans have interacted with the landscape - past, present and future.

Day One:

Many willing helpers loaded the bus in record time - enabling a very prompt departure from school! Our first short stop was at Geraldine followed by a very picturesque lunch-break at Lake Tekapo. Students certainly witnessed the resurgence of tourist numbers. The carpark, supermarket and cafes were notably busy compared to previous visits. Next, it was onward to our 'home away from home' - Unwin Lodge. The lodge is owned by the New Zealand Alpine Club and is located in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park - a handy 3km distance from the Aoraki Mt Cook Village.

Later, we were welcomed by the Department of Conservation team at the Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Visitors' Centre. Complete with a slide-show presentation - DOC then provided valuable insight on the interacting natural processes that contribute to the formation of this special environment. Students then had the opportunity to peruse the interactive displays and vast amounts of information in the centre.

Then it was time to inspect the Hermitage. Post visit - it was soon discovered that our bus had a flat battery!! A local tour company kindly shuttled us all back to our accommodation!

That evening we self-catered and cooked up a 'storm'. Groups were assigned duties and the chef team certainly performed! On the menu - nachos, salsa and salad followed by ice-cream sundaes (the large choice of sprinkle options went down well!!)


Day Two:

With a new battery fitted - our trusty bus was back on the road. The day commenced with  a 'behind-the-scenes' guided tour of the national park's recycling centre and water treatment plant. We also considered how the village is managed as sustainably as possible.

Then it was time to stretch our legs! We set off to walk the Hooker Valley track. This is one of the most popular walks in the park and is a three-hour return trip from the White Horse Hill campground. Along the way, we passed the original location of the Hermitage Hotel, the Alpine Memorial and Freda's Rock, before coming to the viewing point of the Mueller Glacier and the first swing bridge. We crossed over the Hooker River and carried on further, spotting old moraine ridges and humps along the way. Proving just how popular this walk is; we met many international visitors walking the track.

Back at the visitor centre we then followed up with some theory on what we had just experienced.  DOC provided valuable insight into their efforts to establish and maintain a sustainable balance between people's use and protection of the environment. The group also had the opportunity to further 'unpack' the internal assessment on a geographic issue. Students debated whether 1080 poisoning is the best pest control method currently available. Students were then shown the range of ground baiting and trapping methods that DOC use as part of the pest control management in the area.

Next it was a visit to the Sir Edmund Hilary Visitors' Centre, followed by a documentary film screening at the theatre. We really enjoyed learning all about SAR (Search and rescue operations) in the park. They sure work in some extreme conditions!

Back at base the next team of student chefs proved to  maintain expectations. On the menu - Lasagne and salad, followed by the classic fruit, jelly and ice-cream combo.


Day Three:

The final day started with a big team effort to clean and pack. Then it was time to get some fresh air and to do the Blue Lakes walk. The steep climb is certainly worth the effort - standing on top of the moraine wall you can see the Tasman glacier and lake and associated natural features.

Last but not least, it was time for the highlight of the trip - the scenic flights departing from Aoraki Mt. Cook airport. After much patience waiting for a suitable 'weather window' there was finally a break in the low-lying cloud and with a swap from ski planes to helicopters to meet conditions, we were finally in the air. The aerial view really makes you appreciate the scale of past glaciation! Students gained real insight into glacial processes from our knowledgeable pilots and from being able to see glaciated landform features up close for themselves!! 

Thanks to all those who helped to make this trip such a success!