Public skating on thin ice at Mt Cook’s iceberg despite warnings of the danger

Despite warning against skating on the ice at Hooker Falls at Mount Cook, people are still risking it.

The Department of Conservation warned last week that tourists and visitors to Mount Cook should stay off the frozen-over Hooker Lake because of the obvious danger of melting ice.

However, on Thursday people were still seen venturing out onto it. And with the sun out, the ice was melting.

Sally Jones, DOC’s Aoraki/Mt Cook operations manager, said she was surprised to see photos of tourists ignoring the warning signs.

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“Groups have been seen on the lake on a webcam on Monday and Tuesday,” Jones said.

It was not the first time DOC had highlighted concerns about people taking risks on the lake, with Jones warning visitors of similar dangers as recently as 2020.

“People should stay off Hooker Lake and other alpine lakes when they are frozen over, as the ice can be thin and could give way at any time.”

Jones said visitors were putting their lives at risk by walking on the ice.

The Department of Conservation’s sign warns visitors of the multiple hazards in the Hooker Lake area.

Jones also warned that when the lake isn’t frozen, people should stay out of the cold water, which was typically about 3C.

“They should also stay off any icebergs in the lake as these are unstable and can tip unexpectedly,” Jones said.

“Someone recently needed to be rescued from an iceberg on nearby Tasman Lake. They not only risked their own life but also put rescuers at risk.”

In 2020, Jones said “experienced climbers are trained to rescue themselves if they fall through ice, but the general public won’t have the right skills to undertake a successful self-rescue.”