THE SEALY RANGE Ski Touring.

Grade 4/5 Multi-day, hut-based. This range is South West of the Mount Cook Village, and has spectacular views across to Mount Cook and Mount Sefton, and across the Tasman Valley. Access is often by helicopter from Glentanner to Barron Saddle Hut, or by ski plane that lands at the head of the glacier. Barron Saddle Hut (DoC, $20 per night) is comfortable for up to 8 people but more have been known to squeeze in! A tent or snow cave could be established in the vicinity, although this area is exposed to very high winds. The hut that was the predecessor to the present hut was blown off the ridge in a particularly severe storm, killing its three occupants. There are short slopes around the hut that can be skied. Below the hut sits the Mueller Glacier. A direct descent below the hut would take you over bluffs, but a 1 km traverse to the left (west) leads down onto the upper Mueller Glacier. In winter the Welchman and Bennie Glaciers on the true left of the Mueller could be skied. In most winters and into spring the Mueller Glacier can be skied down valley on its right hand side until under Mt Olivier, and a climbing traverse then taken up to the new Mueller Hut (DoC, 12 bunks, $20 per night) at 1780m. From Mueller Hut it’s a 2½-3 hour walk down a steep track past the Sealey Tarns to the road end. With a decent snow cover, half or more of this walk can be skied, e.g. as far as the Sealey Tarns. This is the best exit route from Barron Saddle Hut, and can be done in a day comfortably. Mueller Hut itself is a good base for a weekend or long weekend in late spring. The ski tour to the upper Annette Plateau and Metelille Glacier and return is straightforward, and gives spectacular views and good turns.