Exploring the Annette Plateau & Metelille Glacier

The Annette Plateau and Metelille Glacier are truly magical alpine destinations. One of my all-time favourite tramping moments is sitting on the summit of Mt Annette, watching the sunrise illuminate Aoraki/Mt Cook and Mt Sefton after a night of camping on the Annette Plateau. The plateau offers a profound sense of isolation, leaving you completely encompassed by towering peaks, yet it remains relatively accessible for those with the required alpine skills.

Our journey here was actually a last-minute Plan B. We had originally attempted to tramp into the legendary Garden of Eden from the east, but we were disappointingly thwarted by the Frances River after multiple failed crossing attempts. Desperate to make the most of our time down South and do more glacier travel like our trip to Cameron Hut & Ashburton Glacier, we pivoted. We then set our sights on the Annette Plateau in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

A tramper with a backpack & helmet walking up a rocky alpine trail toward the iconic red Mueller Hut perched on a mountain ridge, Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park — Emily approaching Mueller Hut

High-angle panoramic view looking down into the valley at Hooker Lake and its outflow river, surrounded by steep glacial mountain faces in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. — Hooker Lake from Mueller Hut

An alpine tramper sitting next to a yellow tent inside a rock wall wind site at Mueller Hut, with low-lying clouds swirling around the hanging glaciers behind them & Mt Sefton, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Camp at Mueller Hut

The Ascent to Mueller Hut

2.5 – 3hr | 1,056m | 5km

We began our alternative adventure late in the afternoon, walking up the well-established track to Mueller Hut. We set up camp near the hut just as clouds rolled in. Falling asleep to the noisy calls of kea circling above us was much better than been in a busy hut.

A green tent pitched within a protective rock wall under a dark twilight sky, with the snow-covered peak of Aoraki Mt Cook visible in the distance, Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park — All tucked in for the night with Aoraki/Mt Cook in the background

Navigating the Ridge to the Annette Plateau

9hr | 993m | 9km (incl time spent exploring Metelille Glacier)

The next morning, our route took us over Mt Ollivier. This peak is famous for being the first peak Sir Edmund Hillary climbed at the start of his mountaineering career that culminated in the first ascent of Mt Everest.

From the summit, we followed the ridge line before dropping down about 200 meters off the western side. Due to the early morning cloud, a Brocken spectre even made an appearance. This optical illusion is something that I have always loved.

A rare Brocken spectre optical phenomenon showing a shadow cast upon misty clouds surrounded by a faint rainbow halo on Mt Ollivier, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — A tramper with a halo: Early morning Brocken Spectre on the ridge past Mt Ollivier

A mountaineer wearing an orange helmet and backpack traverses a rugged, rocky ridge line towards Mt Kitchener & Annette Plateau with a massive, snow-covered Mt Sefton in the background, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Mathew enjoying the gnarly ridge towards Mt Kitchener

Route Tip: We realized that dropping off the ridge earlier would have made for much easier travel!

After a refreshing swim in an emerald pool at the base of the plateau, we began the final climb onto the Annette Plateau.

Two mountaineers with large backpacks ascending a steep snow slope towards the Annette Plateau under a partly cloudy sky, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Climbing up onto the Annette Plateau. Happy to be on snow & have a break from boulder hopping

The snow-covered peak of Mt Sefton reflecting clearly in a small, still emerald pool on the glacier ice sheets of the Annette Plateau, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. — Mt Sefton from the Annette Plateau

Footprints leading across the wide, snowy expanse of the Annette Plateau toward the snow-covered peak of Mt Sefton under a blue sky, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Dinosaur (crampon) footprints on the Annette Plateau

Exploring the Annette Plateau & Metelille Glacier

We spent time exploring the vast, snowy expanse of the plateau. After finding a campsite for the night, we started our traverse toward the Metelille Glacier. Because of the presence of crevasses, we immediately roped up.

All of our past glacier practice sessions—honing our communication skills and moving in tandem—paid off perfectly. It was a seamless transition as we explored the Metelille Glacier on a rope and harness, suspended high above the massive Mueller Glacier in the valley below.

A hiker walking on the Annette Plateau with the steep, snow covered Mt Sefton behind her, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — A happy dinosaur/Sarah on the Annette Plateau with Mt Sefton in the background. Photo: Mathew Denys

Two alpine hikers with backpacks wearing helmets and carrying ice-axes navigate across a vast, snow-covered plain during the Annette Plateau traverse, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Traversing the Annette Plateau

A wide view of the snow-packed Metelille Glacier with crevasses nestled between dark, rugged rock faces under a cloudy sky. Mueller Glacier lies far below it. Located in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Metelille Glacier

A Night on the Annette Plateau

Camping that night on the snow under the towering shadow of Mt Sefton felt completely surreal. The evening silence was punctuated by the constant, thundering roar of avalanches and ice slabs calving off Mt Sefton’s massive ice shelf.

Surrounded by hanging glaciers, sheer vertical rock faces, and a brilliant alpenglow painting New Zealand’s highest peak, it was impossible not to be awe-struck. It felt incredibly special to share this rugged landscape with the highly intelligent and cheeky kea that call these mountains home.

A lone tramper on the Annette Plateau standing amongst rocky alpine tarns on a ridge, looking out at the snow-capped peak of Mt Sefton catching the early evening sun, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. — Mathew enjoying the view across to Mt Sefton and the high hanging glaciers

A green and yellow tent pitched on the snow of the Annette Plateau with two hikers behind them and ice-axes dug into the snow. Aoraki/Mt Cook visible in the background, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Camp for the night on the Annette Plateau

A hiker sits on a rocky ridge cooking a meal on a camping stove, with a stunning backdrop of Aoraki/Mount Cook and a clear blue sky on the Annette Plateau in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Cooking dinner doesn’t get much more scenic than this! Emily enjoying being on dinner duties with Aoraki/Mt Cook in the background

Sunrise on Mt Annette

4.5hr | 207m | 8km

We woke before dawn, strapped on our crampons, and walked over to Mt Annette just in time for sunrise. Watching the first light hit the surrounding peaks was an experience that is hard to top.

An elevated sunrise perspective from Mt Annette on the Annette Plateau showing the early morning sun illuminating a rocky, snow-lined ridge overlooking the long expanse of Lake Pukaki and the braided Tasman River, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Lake Pukaki and the beauty of the braided Tasman River

A wide scenic landscape at dawn from Mt Annette on the Annette Plateau showing the bright yellow horizon reflecting onto the winding channels of the braided Tasman River valley flowing into Lake Pukaki, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — Waiting for sunrise on Mt Annette

The sun bursts over the horizon of the Burnett Mountains, casting rays of light over the Tasman Valley containing the braided Tasman River and Lake Pukaki during an alpine sunrise from Mt Annette on the Annette Plateau in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. — Sunrise from Mt Annette with the braided Tasman River and Lake Pukaki

Leaving this alpine paradise was tough. We reluctantly waved goodbye to the Annette Plateau to begin the walk back to White Horse carpark.

A high-angle view from Mt Ollivier looking down at the iconic red Mueller Hut situated on a rocky plateau, with a massive snow-covered Mt Sefton looming behind it under a blue sky, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park — The view from the summit of Mt Ollivier

Looking back, our failed attempt at the Garden of Eden was a blessing in disguise. The Annette Plateau reminded us that in Aoraki National Park, even your backup plan can turn into the trip of a lifetime.

The calm water of Sealy Tarns reflecting the surrounding green hillsides and clouds, with a massive glacier-covered mountain face looming in the background, Mt Sefton. Located in Aoraki/Mt Cook National park on the climb to Mueller Hut & Annette Plateau — Sealy Tarns

Exploring the Annette Plateau & Metelille Glacier

The Ascent to Mueller Hut

Navigating the Ridge to the Annette Plateau

Exploring the Annette Plateau & Metelille Glacier

A Night on the Annette Plateau

Sunrise on Mt Annette

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