We had started off with enthusiasm that morning, but after realising that we had achieved something like 3km in 3hr, we decided it was time for a rest day - pouring rain or not. We unpacked in the rain at one of the few potential campsites in the upper Otoko. Up came the wet tents, out with the wet clothes and in Geoff's case wet sleeping bag... well wet everything. No sooner had we settled in for a wet afternoon, but the sun suddenly appeared in yet another dramatic weather change. Gear proliferated as we attempted to it dry out. An amazing afternoon followed and cheered us on to face the rest of the Otoko.

Mt Hooker rises 2000m above us on the right. The snowy peak in the background lies on the Solution Range, the Landsborough river occupies the valley beyond. The Otoko valley turns almost 180 degrees around the corner and leads up the back of Mt Hooker via the Otoko glacier.