Know before you go
Make sure you know you have the experience and equipment to walk to Mueller Hut.

Experience required

Your safety is your responsibility – be prepared

  • Summer (December–February): The route to Mueller Hut offers a mountain experience for anyone with moderate tramping experience – as long as care is taken.
  • Winter (June–August): The route requires good level of mountaineering experience, including walking on ice and snow with ice axe and crampons, route finding and using an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel. Ski tourers must have a thorough knowledge of avalanche dangers and ability to navigate in alpine terrain.
  • Spring (September–November) / Autumn (March–May): Winter conditions can be present during spring and autumn – check with the Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre for the current conditions.

Equipment required

Find out what to take

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.

Make sure:

  • You check the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) before you go.
  • You have the skills to recognise avalanche conditions and avalanche prone areas.
  • You know the safest areas to travel in.
  • Each person has an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe, and knows how to use them.

Read more about Avalanche terrain in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park