5 passes track, tramping partner(s)

I was just there 3 weeks ago. Went up the North Routeburn over North Col and was going to go around the 5 Passes but got clobbered by a front while camped in Hidden Falls. I pulled out via the Rockburn and Sugarloaf so ended up doing the 3 Passes instead. Was bitterly cold the whole week and the front dropped fresh snow to 1000m, this in February, so I hope things are warmer for you! If you are interested in doing North Col/Lake Nerine there was practically no snow at either place (the snow dump I experienced quickly melted). If you do the climb to Park Pass Glacier watch for ice on the rocks! A short way up the climb you are confronted by a rock band about 2m high on a ~50-60degree angle and water dripping down from moss had frozen to ice. Takes quite a bit of care to get past. Theres a good track on the Hidden Falls side of Park Pass to the valley floor but it can be tricky to pick up if you are looking at crossing west to east. I would love to go back but my tramping for the year is over alas.