Warning! Pictures of mountains. If politics is the only reason you’re on Twitter mute me now! Otherwise if you want to see photos of beautiful landscapes and a touch of adventure follow this thread to catch up on my week in the hills.

A week ago in the early morning I headed up the Hopkins River i

What a photo doesn’t capture is the wind so I thought I’d try taking a video...

It was pretty damned windy

Despite the wind, the walk in was gorgeous with the 2650m high Mt Ward up the valley to admire, rising 2000m above the valley.

Storm clouds gathered around the peaks

Finally I reached shelter from the storm with the cosy wee Huxley Forks hut. A welcoming family of trampers had already lit the fire.

Next morning the rain had eased (but the wind had not) and I headed across a now raging North Huxley heading for Broderick Hut

The high river forced me to wade. Appearances can be deceptive, I was wet almost to waist wading through here.

Eventually the first hint of my objective, the icy cap on top of Mt Mackenzie. Look carefully and you can just about see it.

Eventually I was forced onto the flood track. Yes, there is a track through there. Somewhere... @docgovtnz might want to send up a track team to do some work.

Finally the hut!

Another cosy afternoon while the Broderick Hut rattled in the wind. These huts are an awesome public asset @docgovtnz @KiriAllan

The next morning dawned clear, and less windy, so I headed for Mt Mackenzie.

First step was to reach Broderick Pass. This is a classic route into the Landsborough River. It made me feel old to think I first crossed it nearly 30 years ago.

The wind ripped through the Pass and the Landsborough River lay below cloud. This is part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, a wonderful, wild place. @UNESCO

Now to climb the mountain. Mt Mackenzie 2156m. It’s mostly a walk, but with an icy cap and final narrow ridge. TBH I wasn’t feeling hopeful about either the ice or the final ridge because of the wind.

I reached the retreating icecap

Time for crampons... yay!

The wind gusted strongly across the ice and cloud drifted across with the wind but occasionally the skies cleared enough to reveal the striking mountains of the Hooker Range. The pyramid summit of Mt Hooker 2640m tall.

And the distance ice-capped Dechen 2643m tall

But mostly this is what I saw, a teasing hint of peaks through the mist.

Finally it was time to tackle the summit ridge. I scrambled up onto this rocky gendarme (pinnacle) and nervously looked at what lay beyond...

And this is what I saw... what you need to know now is that a) I am genuinely very very afraid of heights and b) it was still windy

But ohhhh sooo close!

But when the going gets tough, the tough get going... Er nope... I eat bravery biscuits (Toffee Pops). Seriously @GriffinsNZ I am a walking advert for these biscuits.

And I made it! After some very cautious travel along the ridge, and by not looking down as I moved, I completed the final metres to the top.

Of course that’s only half the challenge. Then you have to get down again... back to the ice...

Down to Broderick Pass

With great views of Taiaha Peak

Of course photos never show the full picture and while in one direction the skies were clear, looking back to the ridge up Mt Mackenzie this is what it was actually like

Then the track down from Broderick Pass to the hut as the afternoon shadows lengthen

Mission accomplished... dinner and sleeping bag awaits.