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Summit Trip to Mt Annette and Mt Kitchener, New Zealand
In December 2024, we took a two-day trip to Mount Cook National Park, summiting Mt. Annette and Mt. Kitchener. The journey began with a hike up the well-traveled Mueller Hut track. From there, we traversed snow and rocky slopes beyond the hut to reach the Annette Plateau, where we set up camp for the night.
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Day 1
We began our day at 7 a.m., hiking up the Mueller Hut Track. After about three hours of steady climbing, we reached the hut. As we ascended above the inversion layer, the majestic mountains surrounding us came into full view for the first time—it was absolutely breathtaking. At the hut, we refilled our water, strapped on our crampons, and grabbed our ice axes. It was time to venture onto the snowy slopes.
The moment we left Mueller Hut, a serene stillness enveloped us. Of all the hikers that day, none had ventured beyond the hut as we did. We crested a hill, and the hut disappeared from sight. Ahead of us lay only vast snowy slopes, beckoning us to navigate through their untouched beauty.
Finding a safe route through the bluffs, rocks, and snow was relatively straightforward thanks to the clear visibility. In low light or poor conditions, it might have been a different story. Traversing the undulating terrain, we eventually arrived at the Annette Plateau, two hours after leaving Mueller Hut. From here, Mt Annette stood before us in its full glory, our planned summit for the afternoon.
We paused for lunch on the plateau and decided against carrying all our camping gear to the summit. Instead, we stashed our packs in a snow pit, ensuring no curious kea would rummage through our belongings. With lighter loads, we began our ascent toward Mt Annette. The route, following the south ridge, was straightforward and no more challenging than a Grade 1 climb. The ridge presented no significant obstacles, allowing us to enjoy the journey.
Reaching the summit, we were rewarded with an awe-inspiring panorama of Mt Cook and the surrounding peaks. It was a truly special place to be. After soaking in the views, we descended back to our stashed gear and decided to set up camp on the Annette Plateau. We chose a flat, sheltered spot protected from the wind by a rocky outcrop.
Carving our tent platforms into the snow, we settled in and spent the remainder of the day marveling at the towering forms of Mt Cook and Mt Sefton. The serene atmosphere was punctuated by the distant yet frequent rumble of rock and snow avalanches cascading onto the Mueller Glacier below. It was a day of pure alpine wonder!
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Day 2
During the night, I took some time for star photography. Even at 1 a.m., the rumbling of rock avalanches continued. I couldn’t help but think—how could there possibly be enough rocks for them to occur so frequently? The sound was a stark reminder of the untamed nature of the mountains.
Our hiking began early the next morning at 6 a.m. We aimed to reach Mueller Hut before the day’s heat set in, avoiding the challenges of navigating steep snowfields as they softened. On the way, we decided to add an ascent of Mt Kitchener to our itinerary. Unlike Mt Annette, Mt Kitchener was more of a rock scramble, making the summit feel all the more rewarding.
We approached Mt Kitchener from the west, slightly north of the peak itself. Once we gained the ridge, we followed it southward to reach the summit. The effort paid off as the clear, bluebird skies once again rewarded us with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
By lunchtime, we arrived back at Mueller Hut, marking the end of our alpine adventure. From there, it was a straightforward descent down the track to the valley.
What an incredible way to spend a weekend—immersed in the raw beauty and thrill of the mountains, with memories that will last a lifetime.
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