Date: March 10, 2020
Location: Mt. Cook National Park, New Zealand
Distance: 4.5 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 2500+ ft
Highest Elevation: 4265
Nicknamed “Stairway to Heaven”, it claims to have 2000+ steps. The actual stats to Sealy Tarn from TH was 3.6 miles RT and 1800 feet gain, but I pushed up further.
Mt. Cook was playing hide and seek behind the cloud….
…. but eventually answered the curtain call. Count my lucky star.
Hikers are accompanied by views in 3 fronts constantly – Mt. Cook and Hooker Valley to North…
…Mt. Sefton to West… Below, the high priced but highly rewarding puddle of water named Sealy Tarn backdropped by Mt. Sefton’s shoulder.
…. and an open valley to East. The trail above Sealy Tarn was strewn with loose rocks and unrelentingly steep without the aid of stairs. I arrested after another 1/2 mile of struggle. 
I tramped back to Hermitage Hotel via a very pleasant valley floor side trail.
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