Empress Hut
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park • Canterbury
Alerts
Avalanche NZ
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NIWA weather risks
NIWA's Parks Weather site lists daily weather risks for the forecast point below.
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Forecast point: Pioneer Hut (2380m) · 8.6km away
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
- About
- This is an alpine serviced 12-bunk hut in the Aoraki/Mount Cook area. The route to Empress Hut is highly technical and only suitable for very experienced mountaineers.
- Facilities
- Mattresses
- Lighting
- Toilets - non-flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
- Water supply
About this hut
There is a daily radio check-in and weather update to all the alpine huts in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. This is at 4:45 pm. There are instructions in the hut that explain how the radio update is done.
Fees and bookings
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $20 per night
- NZ Alpine Club members: $10 per night
- Canterbury Mountain Club members: free
- Child/youth (15–17 years): $10 per night
Pay at Aoraki/Mount Cook Visitor Centre.
Backcountry Hut Passes and Backcountry Hut Tickets cannot be used at this hut.
Getting there
The route to Empress Hut is highly technical and only suitable for very experienced mountaineers.
The approach and conditions change constantly through the year, depending on the snowpack. There are multiple hazards.
Mountaineering routes to/from Empress Hut are included in Aoraki Tai Poutini: A guide for mountaineers by Rob Frost. It is available for sale at the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre or on the New Zealand Alpine Club website.
There is also information available on ClimbNZ about the Hooker Glacier area.
Location
NZTopo50 map sheet: BX15
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1367622, N5169076
Nearby
Weather
Forecast at the hut