At dawn below the Otira river bridge, looking to the initial scree climb on the right towards Warnock's Knob

The view back down Otira River to Phipps Peak (1,965m). The climb to Warnock's Knob is to the left beneath the bluffs

Above Warnock's Knob, at about 1,200m, looking across SH 73 to Phipps Peak

Climbing the steep section above Warnock's Knob, Phipps Peak behind

At 1,500m, looking west to Mt Philistine's east ridge (right) and south to Mt Rolleston (centre)

At 1,500m, looking south to Mt Rolleston (centre)

At 1,500m, looking east to Phipps Peak (left of centre)

A section of the frozen tarn at 1,500m

At 1,500m, looking west to Mt Philistine's east ridge and summit (centre) and south to Mt Rolleston (left)

At about 1,600m, looking south

At about 1,650m, looking south and east

At about 1,650m, looking west to the summit of Mt Philistine, plus the rocky 1,800m high point (right) we would climb on our descent

At about 1,650m, looking south and east

Now at 1,700m at the base of the summit cone of Philistine. The 1,800m high point is left. Mt Franklin is now also in view left of centre

At 1,850m beneath the steepest section of the climb to Philistine's summit

At 1,900m, where the terrain relents just below the summit. View north down SH 73 with Mt Alexander (1,958m) left and Mt Franklin (2,145m) right

Mt Philistine (1,967m) summit view south to Mt Rolleston (2,275m). Mt Lancelot (2,112m) is right

Mt Philistine (1,967m) summit view south to Mt Rolleston (2,275m) and Mt Lancelot (2,112m). With Rolleston River gorge to the west and Mt Alexander far right

Mt Philistine (1,967m) summit view south to Mt Rolleston (2,275m), giving a view of the traverse route between the two peaks

Mt Philistine (1,967m) summit view south to Mt Rolleston (2,275m) and Goldney Ridge

Commencing our descent from Philistine

Descending the steep 60m couloir off Philistine's north ridge

Descending the steep 60m couloir off Philistine's north ridge

The 1,800m high point dead ahead, with Mt Russel (1,868m) left of centre and Mt Franklin (2,145m) right of centre

Climbing the 1,800m high point with Mt Philistine behind. Our descent couloir is in shadow on the right dropping from the notch. Our ascent route traversed diagonally up from the left to the snowy shoulder right of the summit

1,800m view north to south

1,800m view west to Philistine and south

Our descent from the 1,800m point dropped down another steep chute for 40 or so metres

At about 1,700m, beginning a slow westward plod across slippery rocks

At about 1,600m

At about 1,540m, heading south towards Warnock's Knob, aiming to skirt beneath the bluffs at right

Icicles at a frozen waterfall at 1,500m

Now back on the ascent trail at about 1,400m

Sunset approaches as we drop back down the scree below Warnocks Knob, looking up Otira Valley

Dusk view of Phipps Peak, beyond Otira Valley

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