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GRANDNESS | Awarded the John Harrison Memorial Trophy (overall winner) and Alpine General Champion, for the NZAC Photographic Competition 2009.

Panoramic sunrise view, featuring Aoraki Mt Cook, the Main and Malte Brun Ranges, from Peak 2222, near Ball Pass.

The South Face of Aoraki Mt Cook during a fierce easterly, viewed from Wyn Irwin Hut, Mount Cook Village.

Southern Alps panorama reflected off a still Lake Pukaki.

View of the Aoraki Mt Cook Range and beyond from Sebastopol (1486m).

A morning view of the eastern side of Aoraki Mt Cook from near Novara Peak (2298m) of the Malte Brun Range. Silberhorn (3300m), Mt Tasman (3497m) and Lendenfeld Peak (3194m) are prominent on the right.

Morning views across Hooker Lake to Aoraki Mt Cook.

THE OMEN | Full moon above the Malte Brun Range as viewed from Unwin Hut, the evening before our East Ridge climb.

Aerial view of the Tasman River.

A Pilatus Porter of Mount Cook Ski Planes on the Grand Plateau.

Foreshortened view of the East Ridge of Aoraki Mt Cook from near Anzac Peaks during sunrise.

View of the East Ridge from Plateau Hut during sunrise. A vertical height gain of at least 1300m is presented in the image, with Plateau Hut to Aoraki Mt Cook High Peak being 1550m.

The sunrise during the East Ridge climb, 5 1/2 hours after setting off from Plateau Hut. Stig Schnell is in the foreground.

Paul Ogle on the ridge, pre-dawn.

Paul Ogle and Stig Schnell daggering their way up the route.

Paul Ogle and Stig Schnell approaching the most exposed and exhilirating part of the East Ridge. This section is roughly the half-way point of the climb, however the day ahead also involved a traverse along the summit ridge to Middle and High Peaks, with a descent via the Linda Glacier Route to Plateau Hut.

An exposed Stig Schnell.

Stig Schnell 8 hours on, 13 1/2 to go.

Paul Ogle and Stig Schnell on traverse towards Middle Peak.

Middle Peak celebrations with Paul Ogle, Stig Schnell and myself.

A GRAND TRAVERSE | Paul Ogle on traverse towards High Peak.

GRANDNESS II | View south along the summit ridge to Middle and Low Peaks. The lone figure of Stig Schnell on traverse.

Paul Ogle ascending to the highest parts of the summit ridge, with High Peak (obscured) beyond.

Stig Schnell on traverse nearing High Peak. Middle and Low Peaks visible in the background.

TOP OF NEW ZEALAND BRO | The summit of Aoraki Mt Cook.

Hooker Lake and the Hooker Glacier terminus.

NATURAL SCULPTURE, HOOKER LAKE | Awarded an Alpine Nature Acceptance, for the NZAC Photographic Competition 2010. The left side of this iceberg broke off a few minutes after this photo was taken, tilting out of the water towards the right and consequently appearing quite un-photogenic. Timing is everything!

Glacial lake, Tasman Glacier.

Linda Glacier abstract.

Hochstetter Glacier abstract.

Hochstetter Glacier abstract.

Hochstetter Glacier abstract.

Hochstetter Glacier abstract.

Linda Glacier abstract.

A sunrise view of the Main Divide, prominently featuring Mt Sefton (3151m) and The Footstool (2764m).

An alpine abstract featuring Mt Sefton from the main southern ridge of Mt Wakefield.

Sunrise on the Main Divide, featuring Mt Sefton from Peak 2222.

Sunrise on the Main Divide, featuring Mt Sefton from Peak 2222.

Cinerama Col (2333m), during sunrise from Peak 2222.

Sunrise view to the Minarets (3031m & 3040m) left and Mt Elie De Beaumont (3190m) right, the highest visible sunlight peaks.

Late afternoon alpine abstract, viewed from Empress Hut.

View north across the Grand Plateau from near Anzac Peaks (2528m & 2513m) in morning light.

View north across the Grand Plateau from near Anzac Peaks in morning light.

Plateau Hut and Aoraki Mt Cook.

On-dawn view towards Mt Tasman, high on Aoraki Mt Cook's summit rocks, via the Linda Glacier Route.

Later morning view north from the top of Aoraki Mt Cook's summit rocks.

Mt Dixon (3004m) right, and Mt Haast (3114m) left, as viewed from Plateau Hut.

SPIRIT IN THE SKY | Cloud formations viewed from Unwin Hut, Mount Cook Village.