Ok, finally have good internet service again. As I mentioned, half of Germany is here (the other waiting to come for their 3 month vacation)- and they all hike.  One German I ran into said if you yelled out 'Wie geht's!' on a mountain or a city street here, you would get at least 6 'sehr guts!' back.

The drive into Mt Cook village is quite pretty-

Why hike?

The day started with a layer of clouds on the 2000' stair master (reminded me of 'the Chief' in Squamish, BC- Craze will know...)

And then the clouds cleared and you got-

Notice the sneakers...

A couple more-