Glacier Calving ‘Caps’ Off Successful Season at Mt Cook
Glacier Calving ‘Caps’ Off Successful Season at
Aoraki Mount Cook
National Park
An estimated five million
ton iceberg ‘calving’ at Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake
yesterday (April 30) has ensured
sensational viewing for visitors for the rest of the
season.
Guests on board the Glacier Explorers Mac
Boats* - which take passengers out on the lake to the
glacier face to view towering ice cliffs and huge floating
icebergs - were “in for a treat” according to Operations
Manager Bede Ward.
“Yesterday’s calving was a
result of an extensive period of dry weather followed by a
deluge of rain,” said Mr Ward.
“It’s
delivered a whole lot of sensational new ice that will
provide an extraordinary view of nature in action until the
end of the season. We’ve been out on the lake today with
guests to view it, and it’s simply
spectacular.
“Overall it’s been a great season
with new block and basal calvings, and a steady stream of
iceberg rollovers producing some spectacular blue ice to
thrill visitors. I suggest people make a point of getting
here before the weather forces our closure in a few weeks’
time.”
Glacier Explorers offers the only tour of
its kind in New Zealand at Aoraki Mount Cook National
Park and is just one of three of its kind in the world.
Mr Ward said the tour was becoming increasingly
popular, with more than 24,000 visitors hosted this
season.
“Getting out there on one of our boats on
this magnificent lake is so unique and is becoming more and
more popular with visitors to New Zealand,” he said.
“It’s on most people’s ‘to do’ list while
they’re here.”
The Glacier Explorers team
anticipates the season will draw to a close in early June,
when the Tasman Lake starts to freeze
over.
“We’re planning to re-open in mid-August
when hopefully the lake should have thawed, but we’re
always keeping an eye on things as we’ll open earlier if
conditions allow.”
Glacier Explorers trips depart
seven times a day, leaving every hour and a half. Bookings
are essential and can be made at www.glacierexplorerscom
ENDS