Today's route would follow the 'Alpine Section' of the track. The weather looked like being kind to us again, which was just as well as the path is very exposed in places. We left the hut as the mist cleared from Lake Te Anau far below and headed up towards the high point of the walk: Mount Luxmore at 1472m. A bit of relief came as we were able to dump our packs and walk the there-and-back section to the summit without them. Evidence of last week's snow fall was still present and the scenery was even more like Middle Earth than yesterday. It was quite disappointing when the undulating ridge path finally descended below the tree line. After around 100 switchbacks through the native woodland we arrived at Iris Burn Hut. The sandflys didn't deter us from today's after-the-walk stroll -- 20 minutes along the river (or burn) to Iris Burn waterfall. Not as exciting as the caves but still a nice was to end the day. Today had been even better than yesterday. Heather apologises in advance to anyone to whom we happen to show the photos of which there are many. A change in the weather is forecast, but at least we'd got through the high parts of the track with blue skies. Andrew's step count: 27820
