The nature of New Zealand is the one and only, bright and colorful, bewitching and impressive. This is one of those places on the planet where the beauties of nature have been sculpted for centuries slowly, with feeling and sense, honing every part of the territory of this unimaginably beautiful corner of the earth.
general information
Once in New Zealand, you should definitely visit the highest mountains of the Southern Alps and the highest peak - Mount Cook. Its Maori name is Aoraki, which translates as "a large white cloud."
For the first time this peak was conquered by enthusiasts from the town of Waimate, located near this area. That was in 1894. It was in these mountains, more than 50 years ago, Sir Edmund Hillary tried his hand before climbing the greatest Mount Everest.
The image of the mountain is on the stamp of 1898, released in the country in 1898.
Description
Mount Cook (see photo in the article) is composed of crystalline rocks. Its top, covered with glaciers and snow, has the shape of a saddle. Here lies the famous Tasman Glacier, the largest in New Zealand. It stretches for 29 kilometers, and the area is 156.5 square meters. meters. Up to 7600 mm of precipitation falls annually in the mountains. On the lower slopes, rainforests and picturesque alpine meadows characteristic of the temperate climate grow. Many endemic species of trees and plants grow in these places.
The mountain is part of the national park of the same name, on the territory of which there are more than 140 peaks with heights exceeding 2000 meters. The top got its name in honor of James Cook.
Where is Mount Cook? This is the territory of the Southern Alps of New Zealand, namely, the western part of the South Island near its western coast. The mountain belongs to the Canterbury region. This is the territory of Mount Cook National Park. The height of the peak is 3724 meters above sea level.
Legend of the origin of the mountain
Mount Cook (New Zealand) is sacred to the Maori people. It is not surprising that there is a beautiful legend about her. She talks about the fact that once the sons Ranga and Papa (in Maori mythology - mother earth and father heaven) - Aoraki and his three brothers went on a trip. When their waka was aground on a reef, she banked. In order not to drown, the brothers moved to the bow of the ship, but the icy wind turned everything into stones.
Waka turned out to be an island, and the brothers became mountain peaks. Due to the fact that Aoraki was among them the highest, he became the highest peak with the name "Mount Aoraki." The island was named Te Waka Aoraki.
About the name of the mountain
John Lort Stokes (captain), a researcher in New Zealand, renamed the mountain in English fashion. It was called Mount Cook in memory of the famous discoverer and explorer James Cook.
However, in 1998, according to the law of the Government of New Zealand, its name was included in the name of the peak, and the mountain was again renamed. It became known as Aoraki / Mount Cook. This was the only case when the Maori name became a priority, which clearly demonstrates the success of the Maori people in the struggle for their own cultural heritage.
First ascents
In 1894, the first ascent was made by New Zealanders James Clark, Tom Fife and George Graham. Subsequently, the mountain was conquered by Matthias Zurbrigen (Swiss), and since then this peak has more and more attracted mountaineering enthusiasts.
Today, under the guidance of experienced instructors, anyone can climb the mountain, even without special training.
Tourism
These places are a paradise for many fans of alpine skiing and for climbers. They are ideal for fans of trekking.
To relax in this wonderful place, you can settle in the tourist center, located in a village called Aoraki / Mount Cook. It is located 7 kilometers from the Tasman Glacier of Mount Cook. Here you can find accommodation for every taste, as well as a lot of options for spending interesting leisure time: sightseeing flights by helicopter (including landing on a glacier), horseback riding, fishing and much more. etc. From this place begins and most of the popular hiking trails through the famous Mount Cook National Park.
Interesting Facts
- The Great Soviet Encyclopedia indicates the height of the peak of Aoraki (Mount Cook), equal to 3764 meters (absolute mark). However, this is not a measurement error. In mid-December 1991, enormous masses of rocks, ice and snow (more than 10 million m³) descended from the mountain, as a result of which its height decreased by 10 meters and became equal to 3754 meters.
- Contrary to popular belief, the first European to discover the mountain was not Cook, but Abel Tasman. That was in 1642.
Finally
All mountain peaks play an important role in the cult of the ancestors of the Ngai Tahu people. Climbing these mountains for indigenous peoples is forbidden and offensive to their ancestors. And recently, due to the popularity of New Zealand among lovers of various extreme sports, the Ngai Tahu can only quietly watch how this sacred land for them turns into a place of entertainment for many newcomers from the West.