Hooker Hut | Mount Cook's hidden gem

[@Capfka]

NOT the Hooker Hut I remember from 50-odd years ago! Even if it is the same hut! Absolutely fantastic videography, guys - the clip of you two standing by Hooker Lake, the glacier and Cook in the background is award-winning stuff!

[@ChrisandDanya]

This was one of our favourite overnight stays in NZ ❤

[@sal8527]

The night sky shot was amazing and I’m so glad you included it!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Probably one of the best ones we've done to date, tbh! I've finally figured out how to process the timelapses correctly. Pretty sure I ruined some of our previous ones 😅

[@brissiAU]

Just spent a night in this hut, perfect weather and then a night in Mueller hut, looking at the mountains and stars made me think about bringing my retirement forward 7yrs and enjoy nature much more. Great vid.

[@ChrisandDanya]

We greatly support your idea of bringing your retirement forward! 😂. You deserve it 😊

[@arm_adirek1397]

Thank you for the video of the two of you. It made me happy and made me imagine traveling with the two of you.🙏

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it 😊🙏

[@Hikaholics]

Absolutely loved this video! Laughed out loud when you guys did the teleportation-thing. So funny! The views are insane. Thanks for sharing

[@ChrisandDanya]

Great to hear from you guys, hope you are doing well!! Thanks for watching 😊🙏❤️ Are you still planning on heading to Canada?

[@johnhallford239]

So many things about this one made me smile. The shots were great, as always. I think my favorite was the night shot with the clouds building/blowing around the mountain top. I enjoyed the relaxed feel of this one. Great to see you two lounging and enjoying things. Add a little head-banging at the hut and the "Painful to watch" comment, which made me laugh (clearly Danya doesn't have a say before the final edit) and this was a great video, with a different style/flair than others. Nicely done. Thank you for sharing.

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thanks for kind words John! It's nice knowing we don't always have to scramble up a mountain to make an enjoyable video 😅 This was one of our favourite trips while in NZ and definately our favourite hut

[@marilynwoolford-chandler1161]

Stunning photography. Took me somewhere I will never go myself; tremendous

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you Marilyn! 🙏❤️

[@paulmason6860]

Another stunning masterpiece. You two are on fire!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you Paul! 😊❤️ Hopefully we can keep the streak going. Don't want to disappoint anyone 😅

[@paulmason6860]

@@ChrisandDanya You got this 😄

[@shinji112]

Staying at the hut would be a photographer's dream location. Must add it to the list. It's been a few years since I last visited the Hooker Valley Track, it still looks as spectacular as ever. Thanks for taking me back.

[@ChrisandDanya]

Absolutely, it's a beautiful spot. Just as good as night as during the day too! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@chickennoodle6620]

Mt Cook in late winter/early spring looks majestic with that snow coverage. The contrast between the blue lake, tan valley grass and white snow-capped mountains look awesome. Great Videography!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Been there in Summer and late winter/early spring now, we definitely prefer winter/spring. Thanks for watching 🙏🙏

[@mikehardiman7165]

My favourite channel , thanks for sharing . It’s all about the journey and you guys nail it . Keep being amazing 😊

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you so much Mike, that means so much to us 😁🙏❤️😊

[@honeybee592]

You had such amazing weather! Such a cute hut!

[@ChrisandDanya]

So cute and so cosy in the snow! Apparently it was fully booked the night we were there but only 2 others showed up so it made for a good night around the fire. Thanks for watching 🙂

[@JasonNgPhotography]

Another great video. Adding to list of things to visit next time :)

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thanks for watching Jason! Highly recommend this one 😊

[@craigb1427]

Magic scenery. Those snow covered mountains don’t look real, just amazing

[@ChrisandDanya]

Agreed! Mount Cook is stunning❤️

[@brucemeakins4690]

That was a great video with magic scenic shots and an epic teleport! Your greatest Fan!!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thanks ☺️ as always your support means the world ❤️

[@alanbrassil5074]

You’ve hit peak with that one! Unbelievable scenery beautifully shot. Words aren’t enough! Interesting axe work 😉. We’re back in October to do Milford though once again, you’ve added one more walk to the “must do” list. As always many thanks-we love your work.

[@ChrisandDanya]

Great to hear from you again Alan! Congrats on securing a spot on the Milford Track! I believe that's probably the hardest part of the hike 😅 We hope you get some great weather, but even in the rain it's supposed to be spectacular!

[@masodimontagna3771]

Wow amazing nature and montagme..congratulations and thanks for the video ☺👍🙏

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thanks for watching 😊🙏❤️

[@shaungoodenough3866]

Beautiful.

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thanks for watching Shaun! 😊🙏

[@zaiENT1]

you guys are insane, i love it.

[@ChrisandDanya]

You're beautiful!

[@darianlawrie5039]

Awesome video as always! I had no idea that hut was there. We visited about a month before you, the lake was frozen over. Would have loved to stay in the hut for a night. Will make sure I remember for next time.

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you Darian! 😊🙏 We had no idea the hut was there until we were climbing up to Mueller Hut last summer. We saw a little orange dot off in the distance and asked DOC what it was since it looked like it was going to fall into the lake from our perspective 🤣. Once we looked it up, we knew we had to come back during a nice winter weekend and it didn't disappoint! Definitely gives you an excuse to go back 😊. Seeing the lake completely frozen would have been cool! We were hoping that would be the case when we went, but we probably needed to go in the middle of winter

[@epesampaga9894]

Wow amazing so beautiful view

[@ChrisandDanya]

It's a special place!

[@AbelandVictoria]

Good work. Looking forward to nelson lakes

[@ChrisandDanya]

Should be ready in about 5 years 🤣

[@AbelandVictoria]

@@ChrisandDanya lol come on man. Have 5 coffees and don’t get up until it’s done

[@ChrisandDanya]

I'm pretty sure the last 2 days of that hike I barely filmed anything since it was all starting to look the same. I'm not sure how good that video is going to be 😅

[@JGains96]

Such inspiration! We're planning a year trip to the beautiful NZ towards the end of the year and have been binging you guys for a while! What camera do you guys use? You're shots are so crisp!!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you for the continued support, we really appreciate it! 🙏❤️😊 In our more recent videos we use the Panasonic GH6, but in our first half of NZ videos we used the Panasonic G9 which is still a great camera today and a lot more affordable

[@vijovideo-johnnykicker]

Tolles Video like114

[@thumbsuptravel1031]

Absolute mint day. Top shelf video again. Was that jump into hyper space real? Asking for a friend. Superb. Kudos!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you ❤️🙏, was a beautiful day indeed! With the magic of cinema, anything is possible, including hyperspace jumps 😅

[@thumbsuptravel1031]

@@ChrisandDanya i did it on a cloudy day… And see vids like yours… I’m not jealous. Ok

[@ChrisandDanya]

Just an excuse to go back again! We usually have the luxury to wait for good weather

[@haydensword961]

Hi, we're taking kids to this hut next weekend, it mentions a gas cooker, which would save us some room, do you have photos or info on the gas cooker?

[@ChrisandDanya]

I believe it's just a standard two burner gas cooker and connected to the huts gas supply. I would leave a backup stove in the car just in case. You have to check in at the visitor centre before you can head to the hut, so you can ask the staff what the fuel/stove situation is and then decide if you want to carry it in

[@teepatchong5668]

Thanks.

[@ChrisandDanya]

Thank you!

[@MopokesAdventures]

Looking a bit excited there mate lol. I don't blame you.

[@ChrisandDanya]

I think we were just excited to drink mulled wine in the snow 😅

[@MopokesAdventures]

@@ChrisandDanya Noice. Big fan of warm mulled wine myself. I had no idea that hut was there. Stunning spot and weather!

[@ChrisandDanya]

Don't think it's advertised very much and there's no signs at the moment since it's pretty new. Once the word is out, I'm sure it'll be tough getting a spot most weekends

[@tomhu1745]

Do you know if Hooker Hut be a good base to climb Mt Cook from?

[@ChrisandDanya]

Just had a look and Plateau Hut is the base from which you climb Mount Cook

[@Keepitnatural712]

How many nights you can stay at the hut? Does it need reservations?

[@ChrisandDanya]

We just spent 1 night and yes you have to reserve your beds. You can do so on the DOC website

[@bittersweet340]

Did not know they move that hut... and yes that was painful chopping ur firewood kilnly.. were there any kea on ur travels..

[@ChrisandDanya]

They disassembled and flew the hut out in 2015 and then restored it and moved it to it's new location in 2020/21. The old location was too close to the rock wall that is slowly crumbling into the lake No keas during this visit

[@esmalec17]

Hi which month was this filmed?

[@ChrisandDanya]

September 2022

[@esmalec17]

@@ChrisandDanya great to know. End of september, my family of five is spending 5 days in the park. Hope we can secure 5 bunks out of 8 for one night - finger crossed

[@ChrisandDanya]

I would look at booking the bunks as soon as possible! DOC is pretty flexible with cancellations/date changes

[@corinnelacroix5796]

Ouah!!!

[@ChrisandDanya]

It's a good one! 😊

[@MannyYoung-ws1sc]

Lovin life ❤

[@ChrisandDanya]

Doesn't get much better! ❤️

[@tomhu1745]

There is no point saying the secret will be out soon when post a video on You Tube. Hooker Hut is now way too popular which i think is a real shame. Because of social media too many backcountry areas in New Zealand have lost their appeal now. I have a few favourite areas that are special and dear to me which i tell very few people.

[@AbelandVictoria]

There’s plenty of spots tom take a look at the map. Most places no one goes

[@ChrisandDanya]

I think Hooker Hut is still very much a secret to the general public and tourists. It is probably well known and popular within the tramping community. There are only 4 videos of Hooker Hut on KZbin which includes ours. In total, all of them have less than 4000 views combined, which is practically nothing. Combined with the fact that is no signs for Hooker Hut; it is still very much hidden. We're just trying to show how beautiful these places can be and hopefully motivate some people to get outside and give it a go. A potential side effect of that may mean it becomes a little bit more popular. However, we are a very small channel, so I doubt our video will have much of an impact. While it's nice to enjoy these places to ourselves, they are here for everyones enjoyment. Seeing so many people out on the trails brings us a lot of joy 😊

[@ChrisandDanya]

Your point is very valid though Tom and we appreciate your feedback! Social media can definitely have a negative impact on these places, but it can have a very positive one as well

[@vivtodd2473]

Gem. The gem ie original terrain and glacier itself, has been changed by climate change..and the true gem - lost

[@vivtodd2473]

On 1983 there were no wooden walkways or bridges!.. we walked down and up over terrain .. and snow continued to the door! The glacier creaking yards away from the hut. But that’s fallen in. The glacier has receded massively and tbe sides have eroded. The original hut was moved back then the one we were in built..Now that’s gone. I find it hard to listen to such glee about the walk… it’s been already ruined by global warming. The young see only a small window of time.