On the weekend we headed up Whale Stream, just off Lake Pukaki on the way to Mount Cook. We had hoped to climb ‘Fluke’, a classic rock route on Ferintosh Peak (the first high peak on the left, in the seventh picture), but we weren’t too happy with the amount of snow on the route (which had all fallen over the course of a few hours on the previous day), and the sub-freezing conditions on saturday night which would have meant ice and verglas on the rock. So it ended up being a pleasant hike, despite carrying a 60 metre rope and a trad rack all the way.

But what a beautiful valley - I’m really surprised that it’s not a more popular place to go tramping. The views were amazing, and we found a perfect campsite only 10 minutes from the base of our intended route (it became perfect after we spent 30 minutes making a clearing). On sunday we got up early and wandered along the ridge towards Ferintosh, getting some great views into the surrounding valleys.