This rather challenging day trip was a burner. Getting up a four am and getting on the road to be at the bottom of Kea Basin by 0530 and first light was essential. The first slog through the beach trees took about 2 hours to get out into the open, there was about 20 mins bush bashing when I lost the track by the Earnslaw Hut but this was not a great problem. From there I passed the tarns below the foot of the Birley Glacier. Crampons on and axe out it was across the ice for some speedy travel to just below the col. From that I followed the cairns and rather well beaten track to the summit. There was one section that was a little dodgy but there was some sling anchored in which was helpful, only taking a day pack was definatly a bonous! After the crux it was an easy saunter to the summit and lunch. All this took just over 7 hours. This was only half way! Anyway the trip back to the car olny took 5.5 hours and was back in the mecca of Fergburger for dinner, big al never tasted so good!