- P1
The upper level traverse is more interesting and challenging. This involves traversing around the toe of the ridge that runs north off Mt Darby (grid ref 695125) at 2000 metres altitude. Take care here, there is possibility of rock and icefall from above, there are bluffs below you and depending on conditions skis may need to be removed for a short section of rock scrambling. Then skin up the broad Sladden Glacier to Sladden Saddle at 2344 metres – 2 to 2 ½ hours from the hut. Sladden Saddle gets quite heavily loaded with snow after southerly storms, so beware in these conditions. Also the slope down from the saddle onto the Metelille Glacier is north-facing and therefore gets the direct sun, which is worth remembering if you’re arriving in the middle of the day in spring/summer. Once down on the Metelille, hold your height, skiing northwards on the west side of the ridge under the Annette Plateau, eventually reaching a point west or NW of Kitchener. Then it’s skins on for the final 150 vertical metres or so up to Mueller Hut. Note that the Annette Plateau itself is a great ski run, and is itself a worthy skiing destination from Mueller Hut. Mount Sealey (2627m) is a climb of low technical difficulty, conveniently accessed by ski from Mueller, via the upper Metelille. See the Aoraki Mount Cook Guide for climbing route details.