Plan & prepare

Experience and equipment

Even in the best conditions a climb to Mueller Hut demands a fair degree of fitness and experience, plus good equipment.

Much of the 1000-metre climb is not via a track, but up a route marked by rock cairns and orange markers. These can be hard to find if the weather deteriorates, as it can, rapidly, at any time of year. Both track and route sections are steep, demanding 3-4 hours of almost continuous climbing from Aoraki/Mt Cook village to the hut.

Normal tramping equipment is adequate, with strong footwear, spare warm clothing, and a good windproof jacket essential. A sleeping bag, food, torch/lantern, matches and toilet paper also need to be carried.

No special equipment is needed for the easy rock scramble up 1933-metre Mt Olliver behind the hut, but anything more ambitious is strictly for properly equipped and suitably experienced climbers.

In winter you must carry your own cooker, and alpine equipment and gear is required.

Seasons

The normal season for climbing to the Mueller Hut is from mid-November to late March. However, that can vary according to snow conditions. There is considerable avalanche danger on the route during winter and spring (April to mid-November).

Mueller Hut in winter

In winter the hut is a base for ski touring on the Sealy Range. A thorough knowledge of avalanche dangers and ability to navigate in alpine terrain is essential for ski tourers.

Be avalanche aware

There is considerable avalanche danger on the Mueller Hut route during winter and spring (April to mid November). However, avalanches can occur at any time of the year, as snow falls year round in the park. If you are going out during these times make sure you can;

• Recognise avalanche conditions and avalanche prone areas.
• Know the safest areas to travel in.
• Assess your skills and knowledge of avalanche awareness – your life depends on it!
• Take with each of you an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe. Know how to use them.

Poo pots

In winter, the toilet at Mueller may be buried in snow.  Please carry a personal poo pot (available from the visitor centre) and carry all your faecal waste out. Faeces do not break down in the alpine environment, and if buried in the snow, will reappear next summer when the snow melts. 

Before you go:

• Check the avalanche and weather forecasts.
• Take advice from professionals.
• Sign in your intentions.
• Never travel alone.

Intentions

Although it is not necessary to sign in at The Department of Conservation Visitor Centre for a day trip to the hut, it is important to let somebody know your intentions and estimated returning time. An up-to-date weather forecast is also advisable.

For an overnight trip you must sign in at the Visitor Centre before departure and out again on return, to avoid an unnecessary search.

Every evening at 7 pm there is a radio call to the huts in the park. The Duty Officer gives the latest weather forecast and asks what parties and individuals are in the hut or camping outside.

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