Sebastopol via Red Tarns, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park NZ
Climbing Sebastopol (1468m) via the Red Tarns provides grandstand views of many famous features in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. And a scramble near the top adds a little to the adventure.
It’s just a half day climb from Mt Cook Village to the summit of Sebastopol (1468m) in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, but the views are quite spectacular. The route first climbs on a constructed track to Red Tarns, which is already a good destination for those without the experience or desire to climb higher. (I’ve separated my photos to Red Tarns from the others below). From there the route follows an unmarked impact track past McNulty Tarns, and up steeply to pass through bluffs near the summit. There’s some scrambling required, but will be fine for those with suitable experience. For this extra effort you get 360 degree views encompassing high peaks, river flats and glacial lakes. And of course peak bagging gratification.
Aoraki Mt Cook in early morning light, viewed from a lookout on Mt Cook Road. Not a great photo of this famous view, but it’s an impressive sight as you drive along the lake.
Sebastopol via Red Tarns: The Scenery
Red Tarns Track
Crossing Black Birch Stream (actually on our way back). Sophia at the viewpoint near Red Tarns. A panorama from the viewpoint near Red Tarns. As you can see the views are already quite good from this spot and you wouldn’t be disappointed if this were as far as you went. The Red Tarns. This one taken at midday on our way down. One of the Red Tarns looking redder at 12 noon than in the early morning on our way up. The route up to McNulty Tarns is on the far left of this photo. You can descend easily via the scree.
Red Tarns to Sebastopol
Sebastopol looming overhead. One of the McNulty Tarns with Mt Sefton, Mt Wakefield, and Aoraki Mt Cook poking out at the back. Looking back over some of the McNulty Tarns as we began our climb up to the summit. Sophia beginning what was probably the hardest part of the walk, with Mt Wakefield centre. (Climbing this mountain is a fairly challenging tramp that is on the to do list. It may have to wait for next summer as it is a long day walk). The Tasman River runs into Lake Pukaki. Sophia ascending the last bit to the summit area. There’s a further short walk and scramble to get to the actual summit. Views from the top of Sebastopol (1486m). Mt Sefton (left) and Aoraki Mt Cook (back right) are prominent. A closer look at the Tasman Lake and River. A big panorama taking in the main features to the north in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. A closer look at Aoraki Mt Cook. Sophia on the summit of Sebastopol (1468m). Mt Sefton and Aoraki Mt Cook in the background. Sophia as we left the summit, with Mt Sefton to the right. A bit glary but you get an impression from this photo how alpine it all looks even in mid summer. This is the summit viewed from where you first ascend. As you can see there is a bit of a scramble to get up there, but easier than the scramble required to get up to where I took this picture from. A panorama looking south down the Tasman River towards Lake Pukaki. Sophia about to descend from the summit area. The Tasman Lake in the background. Sophia descending on loose rock from the summit area. The route climbs up a few metres towards were I took this picture, then winds around some bluffs before descending back down to the tarn shelf. Winding our way back down around some bluffs – the track is pretty obvious from this point onwards. A panorama north taken on the way down. Red Tarns and McNulty Tarns down there in the foreground.
Track Notes
There’s a constructed path with lots of steps from the public shelter on the main ring road through the village to Red Tarns. There is then an impact track up to the McNulty Tarns that runs to the left of a scree slope: this scree can be used later for the descent. From McNulty tarns there is a steep unmarked route to the summit that is occasionally marked with cairns. Near the top there are a few options to scramble your way to up to the summit area, with just a short dip into a saddle before finishing the scramble to the summit proper.
There’s a constructed path to Red Tarns (with lots of steps) from the public shelter on the main ring road through the village. (More information on the Red Tarns Track on the DOC website).
There is then an impact track up to the McNulty Tarns that runs to the left of a scree slope: this scree can be used later for the descent. From McNulty tarns there is a steep unmarked route to the summit that is occasionally marked with cairns. Near the top there are a few options to scramble your way to up to the summit area, with just a short dip into a saddle before finishing with an easy scramble to the summit proper.
Sophia descending on loose rock from the summit area. The track is fairly obvious to where I took this picture, but it’s not so obvious that you can then climb up this loose rock to arrive at the summit area. I actually climbed up to the right, but I think Sophia’s route was easier. There is further but easier scramble to visit the actual summit.
