![Trampers get ready for bed in a hut](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d776a1fb-9727-4091-b4e4-80970c0a2435_rw_3840.jpg?h=b3ea56335c09b03f92cc843791c82492)
Lydia tucked in a Veronika bringing in more layers for our first night in the 'Challenger'
![Sun-glinting over a small tarn in tussocks](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/774bdc93-83a0-4e4c-96a8-0d22a39af4a6_rw_3840.jpg?h=6962dc7960f66933e77301518e5ae097)
Waking up to this view from the 'Challenger.'
![Scientists with Kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/1d1b68f7-ffa1-4961-abca-b108433603ab_rw_3840.jpg?h=f99b1c7bc1a47a6a423b5f0d35b6a6f1)
Veronika holds our first customer while Lydia gets the bands on.
![Large tarn in tussock](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/531b5196-8bd3-4f7c-a213-18727994b80b_rw_3840.jpg?h=044832f827e4aeed51f520111f49280f)
The very cold tarn behind the Biv
![Miller Biv in the Murchison Mountains](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/665ad353-3594-415e-8950-96ddc7e20e04_rw_3840.jpg?h=31cfd6ef096fa3116f719adef0b7b2ba)
The 'Challenger' also known as Miller Biv. Our base for this adventure
![Fledging Kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/3fd0850e-9a2e-446b-8cf9-220e6cabd497_rw_3840.jpg?h=c7fcc9935415e0edea7268c2f7407e03)
Cute fledgling kea!
![Adult male kea with fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/9525896f-d659-4158-b78e-a0dac0a6b9fe_rw_3840.jpg?h=c0f8f9e9d7cf90d835a0a8afa4dfedd6)
Fledgling and Dad in the snow
![Fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d8707c3e-8d60-49a6-a2f8-6b78ee7d2a7f_rw_3840.jpg?h=642aa3622379317553536aa284fd2e44)
Look who's curious about what I'm doing!
![Adult male kea and fledgling Kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/abe84969-c6a3-40a6-b5e4-8861e181a518_rw_3840.jpg?h=ed85c3fc85ee1d32ce5b5ed50576d1ad)
Dad looks on while a fledgling investigates
![Fledgling Kea in snow](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/ac389627-840c-4bea-b38e-e21eaf48f125_rw_1920.jpg?h=d2ae958cfd68304f7e702c285d7b0ce4)
Baby kea nap time
![Fledgling kea investigates](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/e51aa5d4-d670-4375-b92e-42a665fb87fd_rw_1920.jpg?h=2d4a87eb203c1ccddb09c7b690e9b102)
... and back to investigating
![Handsome fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/4438bc09-9a05-4ef3-af30-1aec28781ed3_rw_3840.jpg?h=6fff4117ccfbdaaa99cf3d418e702015)
Who's a handsome chappy?
![Adult male kea feeding fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/a950b015-5f5a-4cb3-b1c3-0a8f13dffa0e_rw_3840.jpg?h=ab0ee31d785134ccd23b380ae698e0ea)
Feeding time with dad
![Adult male kea feeding fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/3e0a78d5-35ce-484d-91e4-887e1df0113a_rw_1920.jpg?h=0b6795c66ec72ea9e52e8b1cd5369b78)
Looks yummy!
![Adult male kea, feeding fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/3df6f153-760e-4ba4-92c6-f4f028fdc0d0_rw_3840.jpg?h=a578ef8f4448026e07d651655f323290)
Note the bands on dad, he's met us before
![Adult male kea feeding fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/1239d5fd-6b83-4934-b3e6-4990432462e1_rw_1920.jpg?h=e5f17b5a550af9cef77e0ce90c095bc5)
Cute moment
![Adult male kea feeding fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/cf24c7d5-a5c1-4c1e-b844-f022413a8957_rw_3840.jpg?h=5f86a37164de354442e9d3bb5cf75976)
All finished
![Handsome fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/c2a064cf-d68e-44a6-b817-94f513c25e78_rw_1920.jpg?h=445cda310d33c568bb534248076c4101)
Now I'm handsome and well-fed in the snow!
![Fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/5d905847-2b31-44f7-ab1a-2488199d88a2_rw_3840.jpg?h=05e9e880805ef60cf0e47dcc14f9fa93)
Got something to say
![Adult male kea on a rock](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/c00fe240-4814-4bb7-b30a-c02107eef4f8_rw_1920.jpg?h=80fbdd6f9abf587b75311481662fd3b3)
Dad shows us his back and the family heads off shortly after, the continuing snow sprinkles make it less than ideal catch weather anyway.
![View from Miller Peak](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/45cd2a21-bb15-40fa-b5e3-50ec9c198d27_rw_3840.jpg?h=1efa97e44316a244579e0622231cec43)
View from Miller Peak
![View from Miller Peak](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/9eaaa881-d67c-438b-abd2-f18e0e7cb832_rw_3840.jpg?h=7ca7175fdc609ea669fe72a928dacbbf)
It's pretty nice up here
![Scientist using telemetry to locate a bird](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/5772de69-d3fd-413f-9c11-1e8247681c52_rw_3840.jpg?h=fcffe7c3c3a55035e8d9bed1b4d07212)
Lydia on Miller Peak checking for radio signals from birds in the area
![Black and white photo of mountains in Fiordland](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/2091164a-af6e-47c2-a0f0-cbba368ec4e7_rw_3840.jpg?h=4d883333956f384f343f51e8129d2dfb)
Beautiful black and white mountains of Fiordland
![Cold tramper on the summit of Miller Peak](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/82b2b7b1-2dd0-4bad-9b48-a7e3d39b5ed3_rw_3840.jpg?h=cfc86646590a8d831bcb673a295ba2c8)
Lydia demonstrates just how cold it is on the summit.
![View of Lake Te Anau](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/a82ad658-9a79-401b-b5bb-e9315a519c17_rw_3840.jpg?h=15fa8d4493a80ba3e048220102464c65)
View down to Lake Te Anau
![Tramper in front of a view of Lake Te Anau](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/0ee5f907-24e1-48a3-9fb6-8e97028f0585_rw_3840.jpg?h=8e642ca7834af9919a291ace2e29a76e)
Veronika finds somewhere scenic to hang out and try to warm up a little
![Tramper in front of view of Lake Te Anau](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/bd2b76ad-cada-4048-8ef7-5bc0e44edef2_rw_3840.jpg?h=d2e5c05eb27d16bbb9ffc77534b810dc)
I steal Veronika's spot and use it to my own advantage!
![Beautiful view of a tarn](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d56d2b15-a7e3-4339-8585-d556277ccf2a_rw_3840.jpg?h=b3838cff5a3978fa3969c9e1187e4cdb)
So many beautiful tarns on the way back to the 'Challenger'
![Mountains reflected in a tarn](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/ad320784-fbfe-432f-8c5e-3199737b8738_rw_3840.jpg?h=d962e9887a3446269ac5c3c119c891e0)
Reflective too
![Trampers on the summit of Miller Peak](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/565ac1ff-0026-47c4-99cf-2c5f68108b62_rw_3840.jpg?h=0958e2fb472f12c83f0390f00ddf3446)
Lydia and Veronika enjoy a much more pleasant time on the summit of Miller Peak
![Mt Cook Lily in full bloom](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/5bbb3c87-db63-4629-9ceb-e0daac623593_rw_1920.jpg?h=b1b738815ddcea3a444610019b2ff2dd)
Beautiful Mt Cook Lily
![Mt Cook Lily in partial bloom](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/68db2e64-08e2-4a90-b4d3-506ae0b4a29a_rw_1920.jpg?h=5e132cee99b30dccd0a357845d8c3893)
Although this partial bloom so full of promise is potentially even more beautiful
![Panoramic view of the Stuart Mountains and Lake Te Anau](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/8fd036bc-f51d-4a92-b96d-193b790afeb6_rw_3840.jpg?h=c0fc2a76e654eb15a229c9f2e995321a)
Panorama of Lake Te Anau and the Stuart Mountains from Miller Peak
![Fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/7821ace0-6597-4504-a343-8b9794006c6a_rw_1920.jpg?h=f3e28fea7ebd1e482537d9ac144f8f16)
This fledgling is keen to play
![Fledgling kea with bands](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/8b897500-8e36-4fbe-b3d2-203497d88f94_rw_1920.jpg?h=7c07e8d9fc0c3702113a9722d5bf53c0)
He's already been to see us the day before though, hence the bands
![Fledgling kea ready to take flight](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d6e126d8-9991-4fba-a4e7-9df42cacfd7a_rw_1920.jpg?h=509a47956d0d070cca997df8478331a0)
Ready to fly
![Women in front of view of Lake Te Anau](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/99fecf9e-733c-46a6-b9e5-81393af935ac_rw_3840.jpg?h=81323df8df8b18581a9d334bfeff68fc)
Veronika setting up for our evening catch session
![Two fledgling kea with an adult male kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/78d9fe90-cc4f-4fd8-86cc-410f5e9d60fc_rw_1920.jpg?h=d49258f67f53496a107026875e9d7e83)
A group of kea - dad and two fledglings - colluding as to how best to destroy our tents
![Fledgling kea with adult male kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/2094c7cb-4cf8-417f-8512-c28554f90200_rw_1920.jpg?h=91c163abf06ae770521afe5e2ed3cab1)
Thinking hard about it
![A group of four kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/a19fb537-9d0e-4a93-9e29-407629d5dee1_rw_3840.jpg?h=66c712970e5d4ef4fdfa3d74e11ad9fa)
The whole family together - we never managed to get the mum though
![Kea in flight](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/6958cc48-681b-4dff-babb-9bee95296722_rw_1920.jpg?h=7fc6ee66ecd90a9c9d6abfb21bae350d)
Kea coming in to land
![Two fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d7b9c0ce-d4e1-4c6a-b03c-3c164702c401_rw_1920.jpg?h=f7638455870d59e0ec3af37fb452d40d)
A pair of cuties - two fledgling kea
![A pair of fledgling kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/ca06fb15-fee3-4d67-9501-920083678279_rw_3840.jpg?h=0e87465ea001599de3af14c6d1ba55e4)
Still cute
![Beautiful evening light in the Murchison mountains](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/9a937fa4-976f-4d79-96ed-5a2b4f0d629f_rw_3840.jpg?h=165956c6d6e6ff0ef7c1d908a8ffc282)
Beautiful evening light in the Murchison mountains
![Black and white photo - girl on a ridgeline](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/bdb6bde1-3385-406f-a2b2-697aaf3fe1b8_rw_3840.jpg?h=5ee7a3c46dde3543dfe7ea79e0c9c795)
Lydia handling the communications
![Two trampers in a hut](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/f5bb1f26-eb61-4100-a0bb-c3a50039eb98_rw_3840.jpg?h=23f9518a3f68eea5dc05baee8724ec2a)
Debating where we are going to go, given that we are going to run out of daylight, in Snag Burn Hut
![Two scientists handling a kea](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/f3219935-ecbe-4159-8a54-f336ff6e0cd7_rw_3840.jpg?h=baf1767cff576c95d344cca5555e2154)
Lydia and Veronika look after our lunchtime visitor while being eaten alive by the sandflies
![Mt Cook Lillies](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/3357d465-af33-428c-966d-1874ddc3bbc2_rw_1920.jpg?h=46f352a7a8cda79838a8c2531dc97a70)
Mt Cook Lillies in the valley
![View of Mt Cook Lillies](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/0207b504-75d8-4c22-817d-121e97046d11_rw_3840.jpg?h=092e0634c4b332fc4c79a353a938a2eb)
Beautiful view down the valley
![Lake below Mt Max](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/4ced6212-a553-4f9d-9254-bfba74d7c904_rw_3840.jpg?h=3bf836032841466946252f64945632ef)
View of the lake below Mt Max, our campsite was near the outlet
![Black Weka](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/618f624e-02ae-4a00-abb5-8f15f0bd05fe_rw_1920.jpg?h=b105fab48e0edae86d3288947003ef15)
Darkest Weka I've ever seen - shame I couldn't get a better photo of it
![Beautiful lighting on a moutain](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/cc160552-66ac-4f2a-a1f6-bcbcce3c5df3_rw_3840.jpg?h=b030c68ff73e70549891857acfa1e6f1)
Lovely lighting at the end of the day
![Evening light on Mt Max](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/fba5c390-63d6-4fe2-a58e-0a6e264359a5_rw_3840.jpg?h=b546c5758e569efe39ee059102e8dd90)
Mt Max
![Black and white photo of mountains and clouds](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/ac2fdc97-598f-4184-a622-b99c78c8f7ff_rw_3840.jpg?h=e677ecf10312a0e07fd0f0c01a1015e8)
I always think mountains are better with mood and clouds
![Early light on the hills](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/7a68cfec-882d-435d-b84a-9ce45b1bb304_rw_3840.jpg?h=bb4f7db78f762e5b4e103faff2108f7b)
Early light on the hills
![lake and tussock scene](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d2dd16b7-5b07-47dc-ba60-e9e307029e4f_rw_3840.jpg?h=bcaac6f308d7caa6b948f296d6867665)
Leaving our lake outlet campsite
![Trampers look out down the Snag Burn](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/7b4c6c43-7015-4eab-b0e5-8c5d44c61e90_rw_3840.jpg?h=b2d1b11380838c8a87a9498b2b6c95b9)
Lydia and Veronika look out over the Snag Burn, our lake campsite in the background
![Tarn and tussock](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/7f532b57-d4d7-4f22-93db-3a2a00eb33d4_rw_3840.jpg?h=f5087af5418e59d197048e5d88d57c6c)
Tarn on the saddle
![Tramper on bush edge](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/9649b839-5ac3-43b5-888b-7f41d28ef1c6_rw_3840.jpg?h=b212c1de3b1e091b8d04fe24af21d8b7)
Heading into the bush for a short stretch before going back up into the basin visible straight ahead
![Two trampers in the forest](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/2647ee50-c13d-49fa-b830-97d4d53dbeb7_rw_3840.jpg?h=6eceda4898bce06b198c1a7e4a38523f)
Absolutely magical forest
![Magical creek in the forest](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/d3f8403c-2460-44c5-8100-105b5b1fe092_rw_3840.jpg?h=32fd0fd272e8bb6cf001fbe88e6cb52b)
Beautiful waterway
![Beautiful light in the forest](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/6494a8f6-0dcd-442e-9f19-02be494eaa35_rw_3840.jpg?h=6cc982abf698b29e101665bfcd9e450c)
Such wonderful light
![Tramping sitting in mossy forest](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/1e8e27c6-ec7b-446e-a4e8-63ec2411bca6_rw_3840.jpg?h=8bd56942abba4e37d491f6589da6bec9)
Just a magical lunch spot
![Tramper at bush edge](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/815bbceb-5c06-4f46-a823-6124831498d1_rw_3840.jpg?h=87f0a1c7f4059c3ed63afc11e22e1f62)
Emerging from the bush in the next basin over
![Campsite in the mountains](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/2b78cd21-2568-4130-893b-3bfe3cbed7e1_rw_3840.jpg?h=86b206f98d81118711870313137206af)
Camp for the night
![Tent in the foreground pink clouds in the sky](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/125f6a9d-8461-4531-815e-e1384e246eac_rw_3840.jpg?h=720ed4128eeda4ff87de4f86466c6348)
Pink clouds of sunset
![Tent lit up at sunset](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/41747a6c-aa28-4a21-b797-6327a6ede511_rw_3840.jpg?h=33b310e0c7c214b3225078ecd773c77a)
I've been trying for a while to get a good image of a tent lit up at night - hopefully, this will be the first of many to come!
![View of Miller Peak](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/90c1d49f-e80f-4538-8cb7-c98e2d59971c_rw_3840.jpg?h=7256423b1296153055a4dd57d47a9e91)
View from the saddle above camp back over to Miller Peak and the basin where our base hut it
![Miller Biv in evening light](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/f9c5dc8a-49b3-4832-9b14-472be65e7a46_rw_3840.jpg?h=48fb44edc047365c463da25dc1586ba4)
Miller Biv in the beautiful evening light
![View of the Snag Burn valley](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/ff6b2c9b-e387-426a-9989-1e479d27b10d_rw_3840.jpg?h=7f147364918ec95516cb3558fafb9d83)
Looking back at the saddle of where we came from
![Murchison Mountains](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/dc80d2dc-dbdc-4219-a54b-6ec42407de88_rw_3840.jpg?h=5121499859e33c8aa6123b667b662169)
Wonderful evening light
![Tarn in tussock](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/214638be-62c1-495b-a6e2-93c648c87ed6_rw_3840.jpg?h=05ac06e635c54a28634c69b940e5f7b6)
The offending tarn in front of the hut
![Challenger Hut](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/21b7b7d4-f83b-4848-a98a-ea7b72d23dc8_rw_3840.jpg?h=c46e2b1574c53f2836bf2356452e46c6)
See I'm not making it up it is called the 'Challenger'
![Mt Cook Lily](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/a7dec247-642d-45de-b087-016dbdb65650_rw_3840.jpg?h=66f68bf1188eeeab3ca3a6d6b9cc3b16)
Tired-looking Mt Cook Lily
![Ominous looking clouds](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/a7f67a5a-055d-4421-8414-b65bdd161733_rw_3840.jpg?h=2f3f0ff523f8088cfad312565aad5ecc)
Interesting cloud formations - or just ones that indicate a shift in the weather
![Sunset Murchison mountains](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/b7595b9c-8eb0-45ea-b1fb-cdfaa20a4094_rw_3840.jpg?h=ece2c5b41cc2d873396686fd331cef2d)
Sunset is always better when the weather is changing
![Sunset in the Murchison mountains](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/f7275f00-ee6e-442e-bf13-eccdb696f48e_rw_3840.jpg?h=b56324380b8e72b6dd4bf7f14f12b91e)
Loving the cloud-bow at sunset
![Interesting cloud features at sunset](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/a0cb73edb43d1329e44146c1f57c542d/b88cbb55-78fb-4923-a79c-751df7854d45_rw_3840.jpg?h=e997058f8de6fa10caf7f3a92725e27f)
I love clouds