The Hermitage Hotel

Christchurch & Japan Earthquake Appeal

2011-04-05T15:27:00.000-07:00

Almost from the moment we first heard about the terrible Christchurch earthquake, the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village Community have been busy fundraising to offer our support to the rebuilding of homes and lives. First up was a charity Quiz night - every brainic in Mt Cook paid to prove they were the champion team. Two fabulous raffles raised $300, and the Hermitage staff Social Club donated a further $1000. The 'guess the number of lollies in the jar competition' at fifty cents a guess attracted thousands of entries. I missed out but luck was on George our Chief engineers side with his guess of 1700 lollies, he then promptly made himself extremely popular by donating all 1738 lollies to the Mt Cook School kids. The following week we raised a further $300 at a movie night in the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine centre, and the Café staff donated all their tips over the next two weeks raising a further $300.

The Department of Conservation and The Vaguely Familiars (a local band made of Aoraki Mount Cook Residents with a musical flair to match no other) held a bake/busking sale outside the DOC Visitors centre with loads of yummy baking made by the DOC staff and Aoraki Mount Cook School. Who could resist buying such delicious cookies!!! And it wasn't long before the busking hat was filled to the brim. A total of $725 dollars was raised.

And last week the Chamois Bar and Grill hosted a Texas hold'em poker night. It proved a huge success with everyone (including never before poker plays like me) getting into the swing of things. Over 60 people played with many more enjoying the atmosphere and music by the Vaguely familiars. The night wrapped up with an Auction made possible by the generous support of Glentanner Park Horse Trekking, Omamara Hot Tubs, Rangitata Rafts, DB Brewery, AJ Hacket, Wanaka Sky Dive, The Hermitage Hotel, Base Backpackers Queenstown, Chamois Bar & Fish Tank Lodge Kaikoura.- so many fabulous items up for grabs it was tense time over who won what !

It was too much dismay that we heard the news about the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. The Aoraki Mount Cook Village Japanese community came to together with a plan to have a day of fundraising with the support of the Hermitage Hotel. All afternoon they sold fantastic raffles with prizes for all sorts of great activities. Fortunately our ex staff members Nic & Emi Scheele who where in Tokyo at the time of the earthquake

were safe, Emi is a professional opera singer and offered to perform a concert at the Hermitage to raise money for the Japanese Earthquake appeal.

All week the Japanese staff made origami to have on display and in return for a donation each person received a beautifully crafted origami to take away. On Saturday 26th in the Hermitage hotel Anna (age 8) & Marina (aged 6) members of the Aoraki Mount Cook Sedio Karate club demonstrated chopping blocks of wood in half using only their feet!!! After the cheers had died down Nic Scheeles shared with the audience his and his families personal account of the earthquake and its affects. Emi then wowed us all with her amazing voice singing a collection of songs each one holding special significant to Japan, Christchurch and Aoraki Mt Cook Village.

To top off what was already an excellent evening the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine centre played the film, the Celestial Railway by famous Japanese author Kenji Miyazawa. A total of $1200 was raised, The Aoraki Mount Cook Village Japanese Community say Arigato (thank you) to Mount Cook Skiplanes, Glacier Explorers, Tasman Valley 4WD Drive & Argo Tours, and the Hermitage Hotel for the donation of the raffle prizes.

With all the events and also generous donations form the Hermitage Hotel visitors there has been $4787 dollars raised so far towards the Christchurch Earthquake appeal. This money will go to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake appeal.

We have also raised $2500 towards the Japanese Earthquake appeal. This money will be divided and donated to Red Cross Japan and also directly to Otsuchi & Miyako City (where our Japanese staff friends and family are from and who have been seriously affected).

Through these difficult times Aoraki Mount Cook Village residents will continue to support and do our part to help with the rebuilding of homes and lives for both our fellow Canterburians and our Japanese friends.

Alpine Fresh - Keep NZ Beautiful

2010-10-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

Monday 4th October 2010- Alpine Fresh the Aoraki Mount Cook Village community clean up event.

With the sun shining the community gathered together to make our beautiful home even better with an afternoon of rubbish collection from around all the pathways, parkland and roads in the village.

23 volunteers joined the event and together we collected over 23 bags of rubbish.

With prizes from the sponsors The Hermitage Hotel, YHA, Real Journeys and Heliline everyone had a blast, not only did they have the satisfaction of seeing our community work together and make our alpine home 'fresh and clean' but there was also awesome prizes up for grabs.

An art competition sponsored by YHA and Real Journeys - covering categories wearable, practical or decorative -the only rule the items had to make completely of rubbish it was a tough call over who would win with so many great entries but Marion & Gilbert Seymour took out the top prize with their fabulous entry.
It was the GIRLZ team who collected the most rubbish and courtesy of the Hermitage Social club they walked away with $100 prezzie card each.

The most unusual item was found by Adrian and Rod when they came across a Golf Cart -very strange when the nearest course is 55km away! the scenic flight from Heliline made the effort of dragging it from the bushes all worth while.

Of course no community event would be complete with out a yummy BBQ sponsored by the Hermitage Hotel there was steak, lamb cutlets, salmon, salads, cake and drinks! It was a great finish to the day.

Big Thank you to everyone who helped and especially to - The Hermitage Hotel, YHA, Department of Conservation, Real Journeys and Heliline.

A quick Peak of all the new icebergs @ Tasman Lake

2010-09-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

Glacier <<DSC01175.JPG>> Ex <<DSC01179.JPG>> pl <<DSC01183.JPG>> orers
<<DSC01186.JPG>> is ready for an amazing season this year with over
1000 bergs on the lake. The boats were helicoptered in on Monday. It has
taken all day today to tow the wharf across from the Murchison side and
get it in place. There are over 20 bergs 100+ metres long in the lake.
The longest iceberg is over 300 metres!

Operations will commence this Saturday 11th September, make you bookings
online at www.glacierexplorers.com

The Hermitage wins Bronze at National Culinary awards

2010-08-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

A big congratulations to Christina Holdaway for winning a Bronze Medal at the National Culinary competition held at The ASB Show grounds in Auckland last week. What a fantastic achievement for a young up and coming chef competing against over 20 other entries! Thanks to Goodman Fielder Dairy and Bidvest for your help in sending our team of 2 to this competition.

Tasman Glacier - huge calving!

2010-08-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

A huge section of around 30 million tonnes of ice has broken off the face of the Tasman Glacier producing massive icebergs which now fill the Tasman Glacier terminal lake. It really is an impressive sight. With Glacier Explorers due to start tours on the 1^st of September, it will make for an amazing trip this season! Book you tour by calling the hotel on 03 4351809.

S N O W D A Y ! ! !

2010-06-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

Who needs summer? 3 reasons why we love winter in Mount Cook: Snowmen, Sledding, Snowball fights!!!

Showing our WILD side!

2010-05-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

Each winter Monteith’s searches restaurants, bars and cafes around the country looking for New Zealand’s ‘wildest’ beer and food match through its Monteith’s Beer & Wild Food Challenge. This year our chefs in The Panorama Restaurant have come up with a pretty wild entry!

'Head to Hoof' House smoked wild pig cutlet, slow cooked pork belly and trotters braised in Monteiths Celtic Ale and finished with crispy pigs ear. Matched with Monteiths Celtic Ale.

Public voting for the Monteith's Beer & Wild Food Challenge is from 4th June to 18th July, during which time you guys can taste and vote on the wild food dishes at participating restaurants and bars. Each person who votes by text will receive a voucher to their mobile phone for a complimentary Monteith's redeemable at that restaurant or bar. We'll post a pic of the dish just as soon as we can catch the ingredients!

Our friend the Falcon stops in to say hello!

2010-04-12T03:29:00.000-07:00

Jeremy from Magic Memories snapped this beautiful pic of a Falcon (karearea) posing on Sir Ed's bronze statue the other day.

The New Zealand falcon is listed as a threatened species by the Department of Conservation due to population decline. It is believed that stoats are among the main culprits for this as they prey on their eggs and nestlings.

Seeing a Falcon up close like this is both rewarding and encouraging to those volunteers in the Mt Cook village community trapping programme who have been sticking to the task of regularly clearing traps near the village for the last 5 years. Congratulations team, you're obviously doing a great job!

Facts about New Zealand falcon/kārearea

Support a falcon conservation organisation

Solar lighting systems for the Himalayan village of Damar

2010-03-26T03:13:00.000-07:00

On thursday evening we held a fundraising event in The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre with the Geraldine tramping club to help raise funds for a very important expedition. The night included fascinating presentations by Phurenje Sherpa and Norman Hardie (A famous old climber & contemporary of Sir Ed's).

In April 2010 the club will be traveling to Nepal to install solar lighting in a small Sherpa village called Damar, south of Everest. They will also be giving them help to use a spinning wheel for the first time and assistance with health care and education equipment.

We would like to wish the club the best of luck with Project Damar and we're glad that we were able to help raise enough funds to purchase one of the solar lighting systems ($700+) on the night.

For more information regarding Project Damar please email The Geraldine Tramping Club

To donate to the Damar Appeal:

The Treasurer

The Geraldine Tramping Club

c/o Pam Nolan

Blair Rd RD22

Geraldine 7992

Air Force Hercules visits Mount Cook Airport

2010-03-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

A New Zealand Air Force Hercules visited Mount Cook Airport yesterday to practice some training manoeuvres including a touch and go landing, this involves the aircraft approaching the runway, touching its wheels and then taking off again. This was part of a larger training exercise being carried out in the Mackenzie region by the armed forces as training before deployment to Afganistan. The Hercules was a great sight to see flying low over the riverbeds and blended into the background surprisingly well, as you can see from the picture above.

TV One's 'Close Up' Film a wedding for their nightly TV show.

2010-02-24T19:18:00.001-08:00

The current affairs program Close up from TV One filmed our latest wedding at Mt Cook. These shots were taken on the Tasman Glacier at 7600ft. Watch out for the footage to be shown at 7.25pm on Tuesday 2nd March 2010.

Glacier Explorers' Guides take an icy swim, with your safety in mind.

2010-02-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

Glacier Explorers underwent their monthly safety training yesterday when they closed off trips for the afternoon and all team members were 'refreshed' in the art of rescue in the very unlikely case a boat capsized. The water was just 2 degrees Celsius and even though the wetsuits they wore were 15ml thick and only hands and faces exposed, just 15 minutes at a time was long enough in the water!

This training is part of an overall approved safety plan which meets maritime standards and is designed in conjunction with the Aoraki Mount Cook Search and rescue team. Glacier Explorers departs 5 times a day from The Hermitage Hotel and is a truly unique glacier and iceberg experience which is not to be missed. Make your booking online at
http://www.glacierexplorers.com/ or by phoning The Hermitage on 03 4351809.

Keas GATECRASH weddings!

2010-01-31T13:55:00.000-08:00

Twice in the last few weeks for the first time ever Keas have attended weddings on mountain tops in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as uninvited guests.

Denis Callesen -marriage celebrant said "On the second occasion we were at 'Gorilla' at 7,000 feet and they constantly swooped low over the bride and groom. They were also making a heck of a racket!"

Stu Jackson (wedding photographer) took some amazing photos of the keas and their cheeky gate crashing behaviour. Take a look!

The RIGHT PLACE at the RIGHT TIME!

2010-01-28T15:03:00.000-08:00

Check out this amazing photo sequence of the gigantic iceberg 'Taniwha' breaking up on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake last week. Annette McNamara was certainly in the right place at the right time and has kindly provided these spectacular shots for us to share with the world!

For video footage of this particular iceberg event check out:

TV3 Website or YOU TUBE

For more info regarding the following photos please contact Annette McNamara

Local Teacher reaches new heights with Alpine Guides

2010-01-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

Aoraki Mount Cooks local primary school Principal, Bu Windsor, reached the east summit of “The Minarets” in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park on Saturday 16th January 2010. It was a beautiful day, in the background is Elie de Beaumont. Congratulations Bu! Alpine Guides operate from the Retail area of The Hermitage Hotel and can arrange climbs and hikes for all levels of fitness.

Happy Guests at The Hermitage

2009-12-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

Above: One of the guests photo's of Aoraki Mount Cook

After a recent stay with us, this comment was posted to trip advisor. It was written so well that I felt I had to share it with you….

“Our stay in Mount Cook (Aoraki) was no less than magnificent.
It was tipping down for the first afternoon and evening with ferocious gusts of wind, a spectacular storm. So we did the movies that day. There is a planetarium in the Hermitage hotel which is hypnotic. 3D magic starts with a 3D animation of the Maori legend of how the South Island and Aoraki was born, my children were enthralled and now have a good understanding of the legend.

The next morning the weather was the same so we headed to the planetarium, to learn about planets, black holes and more of 3D magic. The enormous feats in the area, performed by incredible individuals and none more than the museums namesake, are set out in the Sir Edmund Hillary centre – I could’ve stayed there all day.

By midday, the rain had stopped and cloud was starting to lift and by the time we’d walked to the blue lakes (that are green) there were snow capped faces and peaks poking out everywhere through mountain hugging clouds. We headed on towards the ridge to view the Tasman lake and it’s icebergs… beautiful! By this time it was almost totally clear.
I coerced my two seven year olds up these tracks, it’s an experience that they’ll always remember.

The peace and solitude is magical. It’s the stuff I’d been craving. The enormous expanse of the area and the surrounds of the mountains have this intangible, infectious energy.
I had wanted to swim at the blue (green) lakes but thought we should push on.. A second chance came when when we returned to the carpark - there was to the side, one (of many) beautiful rivers running through the valley from them icy glaciers and snowy peaks so I immersed myself in that.
That swim is one I shall never forget – so exhiliarating, sooo cold.

The Hermitage Hotel itself reflects this expanse and beauty.
The room on the 9th floor enabled us to view head on, the constantly changing weather patterns and views of this spectacular scenery. The staff are willing, friendly and hospitable and there is a very special baby grand piano in the hallway of the second floor with a picture window at the end looking straight down the valley. I spent about an hour noodling around on it on that rainy afternoon– I haven’t done that for ages, I reckon it’s a meditative piano and that’s what people have done on it for 50 years.
I love this place and am already planning my return trip, except for longer.” – Posted by ‘Guitarmelee’ of Sydney on Tripadvisor, Dec 9^th 2009.

New addition to Sir Edmund Hillary collection at Mount Cook museum

2009-12-10T17:18:00.000-08:00

It’s taken more than a year of elbow grease and some Kiwi ingenuity but a new reminder of Sir Edmund Hillary was finally unveiled at Aoraki Mount Cook last night (9 December).

An exact replica of one of the legendary Ferguson TEA tractors which transported Sir Edmund and his team on their epic journey to the South Pole in 1958 has been made especially for the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.

The tractor construction was undertaken by John Callesen, a well-known vintage car restorer and ex-All Black. He’s also the brother of Denis Callesen, who led the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre development.

John Callesen painstakingly compared hundreds of photos of the three tractors that went on the Antarctica expedition to ensure accuracy.

Photos were sourced from the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre’s existing collection while others were taken of the original tractors housed at the Canterbury Museum, MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) in Auckland, and the Massey Ferguson Museum in France.

Based on the photo comparisons, John Callesen replicated every single visible part of the tractor in his Palmerston North workshop.

The tractors that went to Antarctica as part of the 1957-1958 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition were originally to be used to help unload the Endeavour and build Scott Base. However Sir Edmund Hillary was so impressed with them that most of the huskies, which had been trained at Aoraki Mount Cook and brought over for the expedition, were replaced by the tractors.

His gamble paid off as his team went on to become the first to reach the Pole overland since Captain Robert Falcon Scott in 1912 and the first ever to do so using motor vehicles. It took the ‘tractor train’ of three tractors, a Weasel, caboose and six sledges more than 80 days to complete the 1,930km (1,200-mile) journey.

Many modifications were made to the tractors before departure but, lacking a local hardware store, the team was forced to get creative with the materials on hand at Scott Base. Consequently, the likes of Dexion shelving and Waratah fencing standards became invaluable in ensuring the tractors survived the journey to the Pole.

John Callesen says his biggest hurdle in building the tractor was distinguishing between the numerous alterations made to the tractors before and after their trip to the Pole.

"The tractors stayed at the South Pole for several years afterwards and were further modified which made producing an exact visible replica tricky. However, based on original photos and feedback from surviving expedition members, what I’ve built looks exactly like what the expedition team drove to the Pole, gas torch scorch marks and all,” he says.

The replica tractor now sits in the dedicated Sir Edmund Hillary Gallery alongside items such as 50-year old footage of Sir Edmund boarding the Endeavour, the original mileage wheel showing the exact distance to the Pole, and Sir Edmund’s original primus stove. There’s also imagery of Sir Edmund training at Aoraki Mount Cook in 1957 on what’s believed to be one of the tractors that went to Antarctica.

Denis Callesen, General Manager of Tourism for Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village Ltd, is delighted with the replica tractor, saying it adds to the picture they’re building of Sir Edmund’s life and his Himalayan and Antarctic training links to Aoraki Mount Cook.

“It’s an honour to be able to share Sir Ed’s intriguing story with the world and we’re very grateful to those who contribute items which help put things in context for our visitors. Seeing the primitive equipment he and his various expedition parties used gives people a sense of the triumphs, tribulations and magnitude of what they achieved. Imagine battling Antarctica’s extreme cold and crevasses on ordinary farm tractors without the technology or equipment we have today - it’s a truly amazing feat.”

The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre was officially opened on 29 May 2008 by Sir Edmund’s widow, June, Lady Hillary Q.S.M. It is located adjacent to The Hermitage Hotel in Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village, within the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and World Heritage area. The Village is a spectacular 55km drive from the Lake Pukaki / State Highway 8 turn-off and is four hours from Christchurch (272km) and three hours from Queenstown (330km).

Mountain Music a hit

2009-12-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

The hills were alive with the sound of music last week when more than 150 locals and guests turned out to hear the Christchurch Youth Symphony Orchestra play at Aoraki Mount Cook.
The audience enjoyed an open-air concert, hosted by The Hermitage Hotel, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Southern Alps and New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook.

Prior to the concert, the group of young musicians held a workshop at Mt Cook School, acquainting local children with the intricacies of orchestral arrangement and different brass, woodwind, percussion, keyboard and string instruments.

The Hermitage General Manager Andrew Cleverley says the day was a huge success.

“It was great to see our locals and guests making the most of the sunshine and balmy conditions. It was very laidback – everyone just lounged on the lawn outside the hotel and enjoyed the selection of classical and modern pieces. One of the highlights for me was hearing our own local soloist Emi Scheel, give a magnificent rendition of Pokarekare ana accompanied by the orchestra.

“Everyone enjoyed the day so much that we’re hoping to host a similar visit next year.”

Two weddings in one day at The Hermitage Aoraki Mt Cook

2009-12-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

Love was in the air today at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Mark & Racheal Riley and Frank & Melanie Salomon tied the knot after careful planning by The Hermitage’s own wedding planner, Nyree Schaar. Both couples flew by Helicopter to locations within the park to celebrate their special day in very special spots. Weddings are becoming very popular at Mt Cook and we now pride ourselves on our specialised wedding packages and organisation, for wedding parties from 2-100 guests. Contact the hotel direct on 03 4351809 to speak with our specialist wedding planner about your big day or visit www.hermitage.co.nz

The Hermitage fuels up for biodiesel trial

2009-11-30T14:49:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-19T16:35:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-19T12:46:00.001-08:00

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???

2009-11-11T16:24:00.001-08:00

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!

2009-11-09T12:20:00.001-08:00

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

2009-11-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-11-03T16:47:00.000-08:00

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!

You're Welcome!

2009-04-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Mount Cook kicks off the STAR PARTY!

2009-04-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

As part of the International Year of Astronomy The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre joined and Hermitage hotel guests were among the first to kick off the world's biggest free STAR PARTY!!! A 100 hour, round-the-clock, round-the-globe event. It included live web casts from research observatories, public sidewalk observing events and other activities to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009. One of the key goals of this event was to allow as many people as possible to look through a telescope—day or night, just as Galileo did some 400 years ago.

We held free stargazing sessions on the lawns outside The Hermitage - not only one of the best places to view the southern night but also one of the funnest!!!

The Pot sets over Mount Cook Village Stargazing - In New Zealand the central part of the constellation is often called "The Pot". Mt Sefton, about 8 km away, is to the left of the black telescope, a Celestron C11. LH telescope is a 12 inch f6 homemade 24 yr old “porthole and cardboard tube” Dobsonian. The two telescopes illustrate two ends of the technology spectrum - one made cheaply from bits and pieces, and the other complete with GPS, precision motors, huge database, and complex optics. Both gave excellent views of Saturn. Photographer: John Dunlop

Moon-set beside Mt Footstool during stargazing - The Moon is setting to the left of Footstool, a local mountain about 9 km away. Mt Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, is visible above the red hat. It is about 20 km away. The head of Leo is to the right above Mt Wakefield. The telescope is a Celestron CPC 11. About 60 people came to the 100HA event at this remote location at 8pm on Thursday 2nd April 2009. Photographer: John Dunlop

Avenues Magazine Competition Winner

2009-03-08T14:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Adrienne Miles who won the Weekend Getaway competition which we ran in the December/January issue of Avenues Magazine! Her prize included a nights FREE accommodation in a Premium room for 2, FREE Cooked Breakfast & FREE Stargazing Experience with astronomers from The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.

Adrienne and her husband decided it would be the perfet way to celebrate their wedding anniversary

"It was a superb evening and weekend. The weather was stunning and Mt Cook was right in our room with us!! Just wonderful and the food great. Many thanks for making our stay so enjoyable. By the way, I caught 4 trout, one almost 4kgs, my biggest catch yet!!"

Thanks for the pic Adrienne! We're gald you and Grant had an awesome time!

Go on share your love story!

2009-01-28T19:15:00.008-08:00

Being located amongst some of the most breath taking scenery on the planet definitely has it's romantic consequences! Over the years many brave souls have dropped to one knee in our Panorama Restaurant to pop the BIG QUESTION! Hundreds of you have used Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as a backdrop to share your vows. And most special of all, many return to celebrate their wedding anniversaries year after year.

We feel very privileged to host such special moments and would love to hear your personal stories! Help us celebrate the upcoming month of love by sharing yours!

Keep an eye on our mountains

2009-01-27T20:21:00.024-08:00

We've got a fancy new webcam! It rotates frequently throughout the day to 8 different positions allowing a much better view of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Not quite as good as seeing it in the flesh but it will definately tempt you to visit! Check it out

Nice shot!

2009-01-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

Matthew Jones entered this winning snap of himself on a Glacier Explorers trip into the Timaru Herald photo competition - we think it's awesome!

Aoraki Mount Cook remembers Sir Edmund Hillary one year on

2009-01-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

Visitors, local Aoraki Mount Cook residents and Hermitage staff today marked the first anniversary of Sir Edmunds death.A short ceremony was held on the Hillary deck which is home to the statue unveiled by Sir Edmund himself in 2003.
A poem " Burra Sahib" composed by Jim Morris of Ben Avon station was read by Denis Callesen.
A wreath made of Mackenzie Country natives by DOC staff was laid by Phurenje and Edmund Sherpa.Phurenje also placed Nepalese scarves and candles on the statue as custom in Nepal.A special tribute played on the planetarium dome, accompanied by a recording of Sir Edmund Hillary from August 1953, where Ed recalls his ascent of Everest some 10 weeks after the event. It is believed this is the second only public playing of this recording.

1. Phurenje & Edmund Sherpa lay native wreath
2. Locals and visitors at ceremony look on

3. Statue towards Aoraki Mount Cook

NEW mouth watering summer menu

2008-10-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

Check out these culinary delights - just a small taste of the gorgeous new dishes available on offer at the hotel's Panorama Restaraunt.

Since it first opened its doors in 1969, the award-winning “Panorama Room” at The Hermitage has gained a reputation as being amongst the best restaurants in New Zealand. Its very simple secrets to success are using only the freshest, local ingredients and providing the finest in service combined with absolutely stunning views of Aoraki Mount Cook.

(1)South Island Beef Fillet: Topped with shitake mushroom ragout served with glazed summer vegetables, rosemary flavoured fondant potatoes and sherry butter jus

(2)Duo of Corn Fed Chicken: Chicken - prawn galantine & pan fried breast, served in a Asian style chicken consommé with wok fried vegetables And wasabi infused sesame—rice stick

HIGH 5 for the first Enviro GOLD Recipients!

2008-10-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

The Hermitage Hotel is among Five of the country’s tourism businesses to have received top accolades as the first accommodation providers in New Zealand to achieve Qualmark’s new Enviro-Gold logo.

Geoff Penrose, Chief Executive of Qualmark, said this achievement is testament to how each of these properties has fully integrated environmental sustainability into quality tourism products. These Enviro-Gold logos are evidence that each has achieved the pinnacle of responsible tourism processes within their respective operations.

For more info visit wwww.hermitage.co.nz/accommodation/environment

Winter in Mount Cook Village

2008-10-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's the middle of winter and you work in an iconic alpine retreat covered in metres of snow. What to do in your spare time?!........

1) Lillian Dunlop looks on as Leonie Rasmussen & Jenna Chapman take sledding to a whole new level!

2) Alan Reidel makes the most of the fresh powder with a stair slide.

"My owners went to NZ and all I got was this lousy book!"

2008-09-11T03:51:00.000-07:00

An English couple who recently took a trip of a lifetime to New Zealand discovered their curious canine had a hankering for his own taste of ‘Down Under’. The prying puppy Zorro, a Hungarian Viszla, was delighted at his owners’ return and couldn’t wait to see what our fair country looked like. He found a precious momento, the scenic coffee table book New Zealand Landscapes which had been purchased at Aoraki Mount Cook’s Hermitage Hotel, and promptly digested its contents (see photo).

Desperate to replace the book but unable to source it in the UK, the owners contacted The Hermitage Hotel who sent a replacement and a treat for Zorro.

Pizza kept safe

2008-09-10T02:40:00.000-07:00

An American tourist staying at Aoraki Mount Cook recently bit off more than she could chew. Puzzled housekeeping staff were called to aid The Hermitage hotel guest who complained that she couldn’t get her pizza out of the microwave oven in her room. Turns out that it was a case of mistaken identity – the guest had put the pizza in the room safe and while pressing buttons, had activated the lock.

True Story!!!

It’s a nice day for a white wedding…

2008-09-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

5 August 2008

Fresh snowfall provided a magical backdrop for Australian Dayle Pascoe and Indonesian Lelly Suparman’s recent wedding at Aoraki Mount Cook’s Hermitage Hotel.

The happy couple were married by a Tekapo celebrant who made it through the snow in a 4WD to marry them.

1) Bride Dayle Pascoe and groom Lelly Suparman getting into the swing of things.

2) Bride Dayle Pascoe and groom Lelly Suparman reflecting on their new life together

Photos courtesy of Alpine Image Company