Rodney Campbell's Blog

Hooker Valley

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 40 mm, 1/80 sec at f/8, ISO 64

The very well maintained Hooker Valley track leading the way towards Mount Cook

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Aoraki

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120 mm, 1/400 sec at f/8, ISO 64

Mount Cook or Aoraki (as it was first named by the Maori people) is New Zealand’s tallest mountain. It now stands at 3,724m (12,217ft). It’s actually now technically 40m (131ft) shorter than it was last recorded in 1991 after a few major slips and erosion

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Hooker Valley Track

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 37 mm, 1/100 sec at f/8, ISO 64

We were staying the night at White Horse Hill Campground. It’s one of many DOC (Department of Conservation) campgrounds scattered around New Zealand. The advantage here for motorhomers is that it’s right in the heart of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

It’s also situated right at the start of the Hooker Valley Track. A three (3) hour return hike into the Hooker Lake right at the base of Mount Cook. It’s about 5km each way but it’s a relatively easy walk with a well maintained path

We were originally going to do the hike the next morning. As we had plenty of time today we decided to pack a picnic dinner and hike up in the cooler late afternoon/evening. Sunset is around 9:30PM so we had plenty of time leaving around 5:30PM

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Road to Mount Cook

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120 mm, 1/125 sec at f/11, ISO 90

The drive to Mount Cook is in a word spectacular. With scenes like these an all too common occurrence. The closer you got the larger that the snow capped mountain range loomed in front of you

We’re still about 20km away from where we’d be staying the night but the excitement’s building 🙂

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Peter’s Panorama

NIKON Z 7 + NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 91 mm, 1/100 sec at f/11, ISO 140 x 7 Frames

A handheld seven (7) frame stitched panorama taken from Peter’s Lookout along Lake Pukaki. Mount Cook and the road which takes us there on the left. The amazing bright blue of the Lake stunning on the right

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.