Walk beneath the Cloud Piercer
An alpine odyssey through New Zealand's Southern Alps, reimagined as a virtual challenge you complete with your everyday steps.
Aoraki / Mount Cook stands at 3,724 metres — New Zealand's highest peak and sacred to Ngāi Tahu as "the Cloud Piercer." This 56 km route traces the Mackenzie Basin from Lake Pukaki's turquoise glacial waters through braided river valleys and golden tussock flats to the terminus of Tasman Glacier.
With Zelus, you walk the real trail coordinates from Pūrāki Boulder to Tasman Glacier Terminus. Your daily steps move you along the route on a live map, unlocking seven milestone checkpoints at landmarks like Reflection View, Glentanner Glacier Stream, and the ice lake rim.
7 milestones along the way
Each milestone marks a real landmark beneath Aoraki / Mount Cook. Unlock them one by one as your daily steps add up.
Stand beside the turquoise surge of Lake Pukaki where the glacial boulder marks your ascent into the Mackenzie Basin.
Catch Aoraki mirrored in the still basin as clouds sweep the Southern Alps — one of the most photographed views in New Zealand.
Traverse golden tussock flats where the braided Tasman River first fans out beneath the snow-capped ridgelines.
Walk the pale shingle shoreline while snow-fed waves lap the pebble beach and the mountain range towers ahead.
Cross the cold meltwater runnel beneath soaring Mount Cook ridgelines where glacial flour turns the water milky blue.
Scan the braided river delta spilling toward Lake Pukaki from the high moraine track as the glacier comes into view.
Finish at the ice lake rim as bergy bits drift beneath the Cloud Piercer's peak. Route complete — your medal is earned.
How it works
Ready to start walking?
Download Zelus and pick Aoraki: The Cloud Piercer. Your first steps today count toward the finish line.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this challenge take?
The target is 120 days, but there's no time limit. At around 3 km of walking per day (roughly 4,000 steps), you'd finish in about 3 weeks. Go at whatever pace feels sustainable.
What is Aoraki / Mount Cook?
Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain at 3,724 metres. The name "Aoraki" means "Cloud Piercer" in Māori and the peak is sacred to the Ngāi Tahu iwi. The national park surrounding it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Do I need to run?
No. Zelus is built for walking — commuting, errands, lunch walks, pacing on a phone call. Running counts too, but it's not required.
How are my steps converted to distance?
Zelus syncs with your phone's step counter and converts steps into kilometres using a calibrated stride length. Your position updates on the map automatically.
What happens when I finish?
You earn the Aoraki: The Cloud Piercer completion medal, which is permanently added to your profile. Then you can pick your next route from the 14+ challenges available.
What if I miss a day?
Nothing happens — your progress stays exactly where you left it. The goal is consistency over time, not perfection. Pick it back up whenever you're ready.