The Hermitage fuels up for biodiesel trial

The Hermitage Hotel is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to environmental and social responsibility.

The Hermitage Hotel at Aoraki Mount Cook began trialling biodiesel, made from its own recycled cooking oil, in its vehicle fleet today (1 December).

The hotel, one of the first to achieve Qualmark’s Enviro-Gold rating last year, is strongly committed to reducing the region's carbon footprint and enhancing Aoraki Mount Cook’s clean green credentials, particularly because of its national park and UNESCO World Heritage Area location.

The hotel’s rubbish truck is the chosen test vehicle and it will be monitored for fuel consumption and performance for three months. If results are good, the hotel will then gradually roll biodiesel out to the rest of its 16-vehicle fleet. It is also investigating whether biodiesel will run in its diesel-fired hot water and heating boilers, and if so, will see how feasible it is to convert them as well.

Hotel Operations Manager David Kidd is leading the trial in association with Biodiesel New Zealand Ltd, a Solid Energy business. He says the scheme will hopefully sit alongside other hotel initiatives like waste minimisation and energy efficiency and is excited about the possibilities of having a reliable and sustainable fuel source “on tap”.

“With three restaurants on site, we’re using about 1,000 litres of cooking oil a month so it’s fantastic to find a way to recycle a waste product and be ecologically self-sufficient.

“If the trial is successful, I think there could be significant environmental and economic benefits for us. Biodiesel has a low carbon footprint, is clean burning, it’s biodegradable if spilled, and because of its high lubricating properties it’s easy on engines.

“We just need to ensure there won’t be any downstream maintenance or cost issues before committing ourselves fully.

"We’re aiming to make our business as sustainable as possible and if we can save money doing it then that’s a bonus."

Mr Kidd says Biodiesel New Zealand has been extremely helpful and supportive of the trial.

“We’re both really passionate about sustainable practice so we’re on the same page. They understand what we want to achieve and are helping us make it happen,” he says.

Biodiesel New Zealand’s high-quality fuel is produced mainly from recycled canola-type cooking oils at a plant in Christchurch. In the future the business also plans to increase the use of locally grown oilseed rape crops as another source of oil.

The Hermitage trial has started with an 80/20% biodiesel/mineral diesel mix and the biodiesel content will be increased progressively to 100% in relation to fuel consumption and performance.

Icebergs beginning to roll on Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake

Pictured is an iceberg that has recently rolled, with the Glacier Explorer Team getting a closer view. Aoraki Mt Cook in the background.

Warmer weather has begun to cause some action on the Tasman Glacier Terminal lake. As the tops of the icebergs begin to melt in the warmer sun they become unstable and roll over, exposing the beautiful blue ice that has been hidden under the water.

These icebergs are 300 years old and began their lives as snow at the top of the Tasman Glacier, NZ’s largest glacier, and slowly the snow is compacted into ice and eventually calve off the face of the glacier to be reborn as icebergs in the terminal lake. Join Glacier Explorers for your chance to see this natural wonder up close, one of only 3 trips like it in the world!

Book at The Hermitage Hotel activities desk or when making your accommodation booking at http://www.hemitage.co.nz/

New additions to the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village

Two new additions have been made to the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village with Huey & Duey, 2 brand new Paradise ducklings. Pictured here with their mother sheltering from the strong winds in one of our local picnic areas, their father was watching over them just a few metres away.

Putangitangi, the paradise shelduck, is endemic to New Zealand, that is, it is found nowhere else in the world. It was discovered first by Captain Cook at Dusky Sound in 1773 during his second voyage. Cook called it the Painted Duck. They were not a common bird before settlement by Europeans but are now one of the endemic birds which has prospered with the conversion of native forest to pasture.

They have increased greatly in numbers through this century and are now only partially protected.  They are a large duck and are always seen in pairs except during the moulting season. The drake has a black head with a greenish gloss, the body being dark grey barred with black. The undertail and tertials are orange chestnut. The duck has a white head and the body is a bright orange chestnut. The ducklings have a striking pattern of brown and white down but when they fledge at around eight weeks they resemble adult males, except the females have whiter patches around the eyes and the base of the bill. Most paradise duck start breeding when 2 years old and pairs remain together from year to year, returning to the same nesting area. If one bird dies, its mate occupies the same territory and re-mates again.

Along with Kea, The New Zealand Falcon, and many other species of bird, Paradise ducks can be easily spotted all around The Hermitage Hotel at Mount Cook, you might even spot Huey & Duey if you’re lucky!

Celmesia Flat Avalanche slowly dissapearing

Pictured is Graeme Slatter, Manager of Tasman Valley 4WD in an ‘Argo’ (8 wheel drive vehicle pictured). He is pictured in front of what remains of a huge avalanche that came down from Mount Wakefeild and swallowed some of the 4WD track in mid winter this year.

The avalanche covered the entire shingle area pictured behind Graeme but now just a short section of the track is covered. Of course, this adds extra excitement to the trip as the Argo  negotiates the terrain around the foot of the avalanche and then back up onto the track.

Book your Tasman Valley 4WD experience today at The Hermitage Hotel’s Activity Desk or when making your hotel reservation at www.hermitage.co.nz – be in quick before the avalanche is gone for good!

Please note: Avalanche danger does not exist during the 4WD operation season.

What's under the kilt???

The question on everyone’s lips is what’s under the kilt? Well, in this case it’s The Hermitage’s very own Marriage Celebrant who doubles as the General Manager of Tourism for Aoraki Mt Cook Village Ltd, Denis Callesen. Pictured here at 7,800 feet in zero degrees temperature in a 40km wind testing out his new kilt, which was purchased after numerous requests for him to wear one while acting as a marriage celebrant, it passed with flying colours. When Denis was asked what was worn under his kilt he replied “nothing it all works perfectly!”.  Visit www.hermitage.co.nz or phone 03 4351809 to find out more about getting married at The Hermitage or in the Mt Cook National Park.

Tasman Valley 4WD all set to go for summer - book at The Hermitage!

Tackling a steep incline

The Tasman Valley 4WD team!

Some of the team enjoying a break on top of the moraine wall

It was a great day out for the Drivers at Tasman Valley 4WD as they underwent the annual driver safety training day. The trip involves riding in an Argo, an 8 wheel all terrain vehicle, up the Tasman valley with the gigantic Tasman Glacier moraine wall on your right hand side and Mt Wakefield towering above you on your left hand side. The trip is a real adventure and gives great views of the Tasman Glacier. Tasman Valley 4WD trips are available right now so make you booking by calling The Hermitage Hotel on 03 4351809 or book at the activities desk in the hotel.

Wedding at Mt Cook

It was a beautiful day for Anne Mazzaccherini & Russell Brown from Scotland who tied the knot yesterday (5^th November 2009) on top of the Liebig Dome (7,800ft), Murchison Valley, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. It was also the first time they had flown in a helicopter. The Hermitage specialises in weddings of all sizes and styles, we even have our own celebrant. Congratulations to Mrs and Mrs Russell & Anne Brown!

Our Cheeky Kea's are back!

After a long winter breeding at high altitudes our cheeky neighbourhood Kea's are back. They are best seen early in the morning in the trees at the back of the hotel and enjoy waking up a certain Hotel's General Manager at around 6am as they fly around his house! Have a drink on the balcony of the Sir Edmund Hillary Cafe & Bar and if you're lucky one might just pop down and say hello!