u/michaelbeckmann_

A weekend trip up to Mt Barff in Mt Aspiring National Park, New Zealand.

Day one saw us to up to Liverpool Hut. On day two we started at 4am, walking up the snow/icy slopes towards Mt Barff. There is a small unmarked track that leads to the stream that gets you up the slopes.

When we got back to the South East ridge, we followed this to about 2100m before sidling across the south face of the summit, to the South West ridge. From this SW ridge, we climbed up to the top of Mt Barff.

At the summit we waited for about hour, then started walking back down to 2100m, only to find the slopes still too icy for skiing. We ended up doing like five turns before putting our crampons back on. It was a day of walking up and down with our skis...

Still an amazing trip and worth every step 🙌

If you are doing trips in the New Zealand mountains, it’s hard not to see them. And you don’t have to go out looking for them, they will fly to you. Some of the most curious and smartest birds out there 🦜

I didn’t take a photo, but over the weekend we even witnessed a Kea opening the tap of a water tank to have a drink! 🚰

He wasn’t smart enough to close the tap again…

A great winter trip of Mt Larkins. We spent two nights in Heather Jock Hut with a return summit on our second day. The route we took was the old mining track (which isn't on NZ Topo), followed by the North West ridge towards Mt Larkins.

With the snow, the sidling on steep snow slopes wasn't the fastest. But we made steady progress and once past Kelly's Hut, it was a fun slog up.

When we were a 100m from the summit, we decided to turn around due to high winds on the summit ridge, as we'd seen the entire morning. However, right as we turned around, the wind started to die down, so we turned around again

We took some pictures on the summit, after which we went down in case the winds would come back. By early afternoon we were back at Heather Jock Hut to enjoy a few hours of relaxation.

On day 3 we slept in and walked back to the car

Many people hike to this hut, snowshoe or ski tour. Whatever option you choose, it is a great trip to get familiar with snow terrain (here in New Zealand).

Easy access from the trails of Snowfarm. At the moment there is even a fully groomed trail all the way to the hut. It took us two hours to get there and about the same to get back out.

Bring some layers as there's no fire in the 7 bunk bed hut ❄️

This photo is taken on our second day where we spent a night sleeping in French Ridge Hut, New Zealand. Due to the full moon I couldn't even capture a true star landscape, but just before dawn I still managed to capture this!

We encountered this Kea on our second day while walking down from French Ridge Hut in New Zealand. The bird was silently sitting on the pole, waiting for us.

It you want to see Kea, head into the Matukituki Valley and you will not be disappointed 🙂

We encountered this Kea on our second day while walking down from French Ridge Hut. The bird was silently sitting on the pole, waiting for us.

It you want to see Kea, head into the Matukituki Valley and you will not be disappointed 🙂

Morning on our second day. Surprisingly warm inside the hut despite no heating. Cold outside with slight frost on the snow.

A weekend mish up to French Ridge Hut to have a look what the Quaterdeck Pass looks like.

A freezing start on the MTB through the valley followed by the (I'd say Great) walk and climb towards French Ridge Hut.

In the hut we dropped our bags and wondered up for about an hour until we had a clear view of the Quaterdeck Pass and the Breakaway.

Back down to the hut for us after that to cozy up and walk out the next day.

This trip was June 27 & 28. We did bring crampons and an ice axe with us but didn't use it really. I reckon the hut will get a good layer of proper snow with the front coming in this weekend.

These photos were taken on June 27 2026, about an hour up from French Ridge Hut.

The left arrow points at the Breakaway and the right arrow at the Quarterdeck Pass.

Photos 📸

1. Breakaway
2. Quarterdeck
   3 & 4. Enjoying our great lunch spot
3. Close up of the Breakaway
4. Close up of the Quaterdeck Pass
5. A glimpse of Tititea / Mt Aspiring
6. Walking back down to French Ridge Hut for the night 🌙

That time I brought a 600mm lens with me up on the climb to French Ridge Hut 📸

Some first snow around Mueller Hut in New Zealand this week. Winter is coming for us down here :)