NaturePhoto Wikimedia CommonsBlue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
New Zealand
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint – From the car park, walk past the Blue Lakes shelter and meander up past the Blue Lakes to a viewpoint on the moraine wall. There are good views of the lower Tasman Glacier and lake, icebergs, and the mountains at the head of the valley. A side trip to the Blue Lakes offers good swimming in summer. At about 22 km long, the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier is the longest glacier in Aotearoa New Zealand. Unfortunately, glaciers the world over are shrinking, with the Tasman receding over 100 m per year.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
Welcome, scholars and nature enthusiasts, to the rugged, awe-inspiring landscapes of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Today, we embark upon a remarkable geological expedition to witness the formidable majesty of the Tasman…
Listen in the app2The Trailhead and Plant Succession
As we take our initial steps away from the car park and onto the designated track, we immediately enter an environment characterized by the ancient, rocky debris of the terminal moraine. This rugged terrain was actively bulldozed…
Listen in the app3The Enigmatic Blue Lakes
Our path now meanders upwards, guiding us toward the intriguingly named Blue Lakes. As we approach these small, secluded bodies of water nestled within the depressions of the old moraine wall, you may be immediately struck by a…
Listen in the app4Ascending the Moraine Wall
We now face the most physically demanding segment of our expedition: the steep ascent up the flank of the lateral moraine wall. This massive, imposing ridge of rock and debris serves as a stark, physical record of the glacier's…
Listen in the app5The Panoramic Glacial Viewpoint
We have reached the summit of the moraine wall, and the landscape that unfurls before us is nothing short of breathtaking. From this elevated, panoramic viewpoint, the sheer scale and profound isolation of the Aoraki/Mount Cook…
Listen in the app6Icebergs and Glacial Calving
Directing our analytical gaze downward to the surface of the terminal lake, we can observe one of the most dramatic and iconic phenomena associated with retreating glaciers: the presence of massive, floating icebergs. During the…
Listen in the app7The Source of the Tasman River
For our final point of detailed observation, we follow a branching track that leads us toward the hydrological outlet of the terminal lake, identifying the exact geographic source of the formidable Tasman River. This is a…
Listen in the app8Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks
As our expedition through the Tasman Glacier valley draws to its necessary conclusion, it is vital to pause and reflect upon the monumental, yet highly fragile, landscape we have traversed. We have hiked over the rugged remnants…
Listen in the app
What is Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks?
Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier walks is a place in New Zealand with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | -43.6980, 170.1631 |
| Last updated |
