Mount Cooper

Mount Cook

One of the more sustained routes within the Tasman Glacier area

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 1.6 km
Descent: 1.6 km
Duration: 6-7 hrs

Low Point: 1.6 km
High Point: 2.5 km
Gradient: 47˚

Beyond the Tasman Glacier lies the Murchison zone where there is an equivalent amount of ski touring options. Lying just above the now closed Murchison Hut is Cooper Peak. Being situated where the glacier bends into the valley this zone has seen a lot of erosion sculpting one of the best fall line runs around. While this is quite a long day trip it is well worth the efforts if you enjoy steep and consistent fall line turns into the valley. Just be prepared for a long exit and make the most out of the daylight.

Looking at the main face of Mount Cooper on the left Photo: Kyle Miller

Arriving on the summit Photo: Kyle Miller

Skiing down the West face to the Murchison Glacier Photo: Kyle Miller

Description

Heading out to the Tasman Glacier is always best via helicopter. Sure you could walk up the Glacier but most of your energy will be drained just by the approach. If you have the money to spare hire a helicopter or ski plane from Mount Cook Airport. Flying in you need to choose wether to stay at the Tasman Saddle Hut or Kelman. In my opinion Kelman has a bit better access as well as a view, so I will be writing from the perspective of the Kelman Hut.

Leaving the Kelman Hut drop 100 meters lower on the Tasman Glacier before heading over to Tasman Saddle. Looking towards the Murchison Glacier you are now on top of the Murchison Headwall where you need to traverse a few meters skiers right before dropping in. Ride down around 700 meters on the Murchison Glacier stopping at around 1720 meters. Looking to the skiers right you will see the glacier turning below and the peak it wraps around is Mount Cooper. While the lower part of the ridge has a rock section it is steep but relatively easy to skin on a small and obvious ramp before traversing lookers left to attain the ridge, this is where the closed Murchison Hut is. From here on out it is a long but easy climb along the ridge all the way to the summit of Mount Cooper.

Standing on the summit you can’t help but look down the west faces 660 meters to the glacier below. While most lines change in pitch this one sustains the same angle all the way. You can ride directly off the summit making steep turns until almost arriving at the moraine where you need to go on the skiers left side before arriving in the valley. Once there take a water break and enjoy looking at your tracks before the long climb back up to the Kelman Hut.

Skinning back up the Murchison Glacier is pretty straightforeword staying a bit on the lookers right side before traversing up to the base of the Murchison Glacier Headwall. It’s best to put on crampons for the upper face making it almost to the top before a quick traverse over to the saddle. Once back on the flats of the Tasman Glacier just enjoy a nice and mellow skin back up to the Kelman Hut.

Leaving at first light is a smart move for this tour. It is much better to be too early compared to too late.

For more pictures and the full story check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/new-zealand/symphony-on-skis/