Trampfile: Mueller Hut Hike

Difficulty: Spring/Summer - Moderate
Winter - Difficult

Length: 5.2km
Altitude: 2000 metres
Hut Details: 30 Bunks, Gas Cooking, Matresses, Lighting. Cost: $35 Summer, $30 Winter.
Gear Required: Normal tramping gear is adequate, with strong footwear, spare warm clothing, and a good windproof jacket essential. In winter a cooker and alpine gear are required.

If you happen to be down south this spring/summer or you happen to be lucky enough to live that way, you really should spend a day or night hiking up to Mueller Hut on the Sealy Range. This hike can be approached as either a full day return trip or an overnight stay in Mueller Hut.
The great thing about this track is it makes a real mountain experience possible for anyone with moderate tramping ability. Mount Cook stands just a few kilometres away and on a clear day is an unforgettable sight.
The hut is situated near the top of Mount Olivier (2114m) at an elevation of approx 2000m - this was the first mountain Sir Edmund Hillary ever climbed.
Expect a bit of a challenge as the track is steep and after two hours ceases to be a maintained track and becomes an alpine route. If undertaken in summer conditions this should be no problem for someone with good levels of fitness.
Two hours should see you to Sealy Tarns, which is a collection of a few small alpine lakes and also a great spot to stop for lunch. From here it's another two hours to Mueller Hut, follow the markers and watch your step as the scree slopes can prove a little tricky. Once you reach the top you'll notice a lot of cairns (piles of rocks), follow these and soon enough you'll find your way to the hut. At almost half the height of Mount Cook the views are truly stunning.
The return trip to the village should take you about three hours (depending on skill level), try not to go too fast and mind your step. All in all this is an amazing hike that really shouldn't be missed.