A brief weather window had us heading up the Haast highway from Wanaka, over the divide and into westland for an attempt on Mount Brewster. The first afternoon we walked up through the bush to the new Brewster Hut nestled on a small shoulder in the ridge up to Mount Armstrong. We headed off from there shortly before dawn traversing under Mt Armstrong and along the snowy ridge above the Brewster Glacier to a col on the south ridge. The early rays of sun striking through the swirling mist gave it a distinctly Scottish feel. Further up the snowy ridge we headed across the upper Brewster Glacier towards the SW face. It took a few attempts to find a way over the bergshund and get established on the face. A few pitches of snowy mixed ground took us to the narrow, blocky summit ridge, the cloud now completely enveloping us. We met James from Wellington descending from the east summit after his partner turned back from the SE face. Together we moved cautiously along the exposed ridge to the west summit and continued along, the ridge easing, to a snowy col where we could descend down a steep snow slope and get back across the glacier. From there we retraced our steps back to the hut, exhausted after nearly 13 hours!
Mount Brewster from the hut
Brewster Hut
South ridge on ascent of Mount Brewster
SW face of Mount Brewster
SW face from the upper glacier
Helen on the final pitch to the summit ridge
Descending the glacier
Traversing the glacier worn rocks on the return to the hut
Mount Brewster from the hut
Brewster Hut
South ridge on ascent of Mount Brewster
SW face of Mount Brewster
SW face from the upper glacier
Helen on the final pitch to the summit ridge
Descending the glacier
Traversing the glacier worn rocks on the return to the hut
MacPhearson and Talbot from the Upper Holyford Valley
Scrambling up to Homer Tunnel Slabs
Starting up 'Stage Fright' on the slabs, MacPhearson behind
MacPhearson and Talbot from Homer Tunnel Slabs
Scrambling up Tablots Ladder from Homer Saddle on the way up MacPhearson on our long day doing the MacPhearson-Talbot Traverse
Approaching the summit of MacPhearson
Final rocky scramble to the summit of MacPhearson
Traversing from MacPhearson to Traverse Pass
Looking back at our route from MacPhearson to Traverse Pass
Getting off the snow at Traverse Pass
Descending from Traverse Pass
Going under a snowbridge, descending to Gertrude Saddle from Traverse Pass
Descending towards Gertrude Saddle
Mitre Peak and Milford Sound from Gertrude Saddle
Views from Mount Roy
Lake Wanaka
Mount Aspiring and upper Matakuti Valley from the Cascade Saddle Track
Approaching the Pylon after a steep 1300m climb from the valley floor (with camping and climbing gear!).
The Dart Glacier from the Pylon Ridge.
Mount Ansted. Descent to Cascade Creek from the Pylon Ridge
Crossing Cascade Creek (icy)
Cascade Creek with Mount Aspiring behind.
Cascade Creek, Mount Tyndal behind.
Camping on Cascade Saddle, the snowy Plunket Dome behind - watch out for those Keas! Their inquisitive beaks under the fly sheet kept us awake a lot of the night!
Plunket Dome via Govenor's (South) Ridge.
Approaching the snow.
Setting off on the beautiful crunchy snow.
Summit shot! Lower peak of Mount Tyndal behind.
Exploring along the ridge, Mount Aspiring behind.
Mount Maori and the upper Dart Glacier from the summit plateau of Plunket Dome.
Dart Glacier and Mount Edward (on left) from Cascade Saddle.
Govenor's Ridge from the Pylon Ridge.
Second camp on the Pylon (North) Ridge of Mount Tyndal, Mount Aspiring behind.
Following morning. Ascent of Mount Tyndal denied and a long descent back to Rasberry Flat. 
On the boat to Stirling Falls
