After an 8am gear check at Eidelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo, you are driven to Mount Cook which is about a 1 hour journey. You are then transferred to a 4WD vehicle and driven as far as possible up the old Ball Hut Road, parallel to the Tasman Glacier. The effects of glacial recession are very evident as you hike beside the lateral moraine. From Ball Shelter, climb 850m up the Ball Ridge to Caroline Hut at 1800m/6000ft, perched right opposite the awe-inspiring Caroline Face of Mount Cook. The panorama includes Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, all the mountains adjoining the Tasman Glacier, and Lake Pukaki.
As the hut is fully stocked you only need to carry some fresh items of food (e.g. bread, fruit, vegetables, meat) and your personal clothing and equipment.
The privately owned Caroline Hut sits in a stunning location high on the Ball Ridge and directly opposite the Caroline Face of the majestic Aoraki/Mt Cook. Experience superb mountain views from the comfort of this well-equipped hut. A wood-fired stove, gas, and solar lighting ensure that your stay there will be warm and dry, while superb scenic views can be enjoyed from the privacy of the rustic toilet.
There is an option to climb Fergun's Knob on the ridge above Caroline Hut before returning via the Ball Ridge and Tasman Valley. This time you have the 29km long Tasman Glacier stretching out in front of you to the north. Your descent route allows good views out over the ever-expanding terminal lake of the Tasman Glacier. During hot weather a refreshing swim in Blue Lake at the end of the hike is a great way to finish. You finish back in Lake Tekapo at about 5pm.
