5150 x 3275 px | 43,6 x 27,7 cm | 17,2 x 10,9 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
2008
Ubicazione:
Hooker River, Mt Cook National Park, New Zealand
Altre informazioni:
Mt Cook National Park covers the central and highest area of the Southern Alps, east of the main divide Created in 1953, it stretches 65 km (40 miles) along the main divide for an area of 70, 700 hectares (176, 750 acres). It is high mountain land, with steep mountains of rock and ice rising high above the valley floors (Mt Cook stands nearly 3000 m (9842 feet) above the lower Tasman Glacier). All peaks higher than 3000 m (9842 feet) in New Zealand except Mt Aspiring are within the Park, as well as the longest glaciers. Forty percent of the total area is still covered in glacial ice. Mt Cook National Park has been the centre for mountaineering in New Zealand for over a century (Mt Cook was climbed in 1894). The Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is truly alpine - with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields. Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain, helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Everest. According to Ngai Tahu legend, Aoraki and his three brothers were the sons of Rakinui, the Sky Father. While on a sea voyage, their canoe overturned on a reef. When the brothers climbed on top of their canoe, the freezing south wind turned them to stone. The canoe became the South Island (Te Waka o Aoraki) whlist Aoraki and his brothers became the peaks of the Southern Alps. Although it encompasses 19 peaks over 3000 metres high, this park is very accessible. State Highway 80 leads to Aoraki/Mount Cook Village which is situated beside scenic Lake Pukaki and provides a comfortable base for alpine activities
