We started the Routeburn track on Christmas Day with *surprise* blue skies and sunshine! Wow, the sun does exist in NZ! :)

We had a nice, easy hike through beech forest to Routeburn Flats, an open area with views down the valley. After the flats we began the climb to the Routeburn Falls hut and snapped this picture at the site of a slip that occured in 1994 and cleared the trees for some excellent views.