Award winning mountain and travel images

Red divide     View near Pioneer Hut, towards the main divide, Southern Alps, NZ     Buy
Winner, alpine landscapes category and overall winner (John Harrison Memorial Trophy), NZAC national competition 2014
Winner, ViewBug - Spring Selection Award, April 2016

Alpenglow        Kangtega (6,779m), viewed from Lusa (4,360m) at sunset, Khumbu, Nepal    
Winner, alpine landscape category, NZAC national competition 2021

Troubled waters     Mt Taranaki viewed across Pouakai track tarn at dawn    
Winner, alpine landscape category, NZAC national competition 2018
Honours, above the bushline, no people, FMC national competition 2018
Highly commended, NZ Photographer Magazine, October 2018

Total horror    An apt warning as we commence our ascent (through wasp nests, stinging nettle and steep, slippery boulders) to Baton Saddle, Kahurangi National Park, NZ     
Winner, mountain and climbing culture category, NZAC national competition 2019

Reflected ants     Daltsampa Lake, Baltistan     Buy
Winner, alpine activity category, NZAC national competition 2004
Honours, alpine activity category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2004

Young responsibility     Karakoram Highway, Pakistan     Buy
Winner, photo journalism category, NZAC national competition 2005

Top Gun     Hushe Village, Baltistan     Buy
Winner, photo journalism category, NZAC national competition 2004

Dormant?     The top 600 metres of Mount Taranaki, viewed from across Fanthams Peak at dawn.     
Honours, alpine landscape category, NZAC national competition 2021
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Beautiful mountains challenge, June 2020
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Your favourite photo challenge, June 2022

Final pitch    On the summit ridge of Mount Brewster, Aspiring National Park, NZ     
Honours, alpine activity category, NZAC national competition 2019
Winner, ViewBug - Security Challenge, November 2021
Winner, ViewBug - Go vertical in the mountains Challenge, March 2020
Selected, Your Shot - National Geographic My best photos of 2018 story (1 of 36 from 18,880 submissions)

Sherpa window    Kids’ toys seem to await their now grown-up owners’ return, gazing out the window of a Sherpa home in Thame-Teng, Khumbu, Nepal     
Honours, mountain and climbing culture category, NZAC national competition 2021

Timeless     Maud Glacier, from Godley Hut
Honours, Mountain and Climbing Culture category, NZAC National competition 2015

Fractured    Surface ice on lake west of Renjo La, Khumbu, Nepal     
Honours, alpine nature category, NZAC national competition 2022

Raw power     A section of Yosemite Falls, USA
Honours, alpine nature category, NZAC national competition 2017

Darran mountains     Climbing Mount McPherson, Fiordland     
Winner, Above the bush line with human element category, FMC competition 2017

Mirror magic     Lake Fergus from Windy Point, Fiordland     
Winner, Below the bush line no human element category, FMC competition 2017

Crossing point     Waingawa River, Tararuas     
Winner, Below the bush line with human element category, FMC competition 2017

Traverse    A steep traverse at about 1,900m on the Bealey side of Rome Ridge, Mount Rolleston, Arthurs Pass, New Zealand
Winner, alpine activity category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2019

Khumbu dusk    The classic view of Mount Everest and Nuptse, from Kala Pattar, Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, alpine general category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2019
Winner, ViewBug - Himalaya Challenge, November 2016

Idyllic     A dusk view across the tarn to our campsite and Mt Kendall, Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand     
Honours, above the bushline, with people, FMC national competition 2018
Winner, ViewBug Staff favorite, April 2018
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Above the lake Challenge, August 2018
Winner, ViewBug peoples choice - Natural ponds and lakes Challenge, April 2020

A fine line     A Dawn view along the final section of Neill Ridge to Mount Hector (centre), Tararua Ranges, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Reflecting in solitude Challenge, April 2020

Pouakai painting    Dawn view south east to Mount Taranaki, across the smaller Pouakai Track tarn, New Zealand
National Geographic Your Shot Daily Dozen, 19 September 2019

Three points of contact required  Traversing across to the north east ridge of Mount Travers at 2,070m, Nelson Lakes, New Zealand
National Geographic Your Shot Daily Dozen, 5 June 2018

Above the clouds     Dawn view on the saddle beneath Tiraha, west to Te Hekenga (1,695m - left), Mount Ruapehu (2,797m - centre) and Mangaweka (1,731m - right), Ruahines, New Zealand
National Geographic Your Shot Daily Dozen, 27 February 2017

On top     On top of Paretetaitonga (2,751m), looking south to Tahurangi (2,797m), Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Alone Challenge, November 2022

Calm before the storm    Ariels Tarns, with Whitehorn Pass left of centre, Arthurs Pass, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Rivers and lakes Challenge, June 2020

You want some!     A mandrill, Melbourne Zoo
National Geographic Your Shot Daily Dozen, 15 September 2016

Devotion     Tibetan pilgrims, many in their "sunday best", gather at Tsurphu Gompa to witness the ordination of their young reincarnate
National Geographic Your Shot Daily Dozen, 28 September 2016

Pondering     Namche Bazaar, Khumbu, Nepal     Buy
Winner, photo journalism category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2011

Dawn on Fantham’s Peak     Mt Taranaki, NZ     Buy
Winner, alpine general category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2014

Mt Taranaki     Viewed from Mt Tongariro, NZ     Buy
Winner, alpine general category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2012

Sense of scale     View from Laurabina Yak, Langtang, Nepal     Buy
Winner, alpine general category and overall winner, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2005

Cull?     Dead mountain goats on the summit of Leary Peak, Aspiring National Park, NZ     Buy
Winner, photo journalism category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2013

Thermal     Khumbu, Nepal     Buy
Winner, alpine nature category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2012

King Black     Gorak on Tserko Ri, Langtang, Nepal     Buy
Winner, alpine nature category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2005

Trail ice     Near Cupola Hut, Nelson Lakes     Buy
Winner, alpine nature category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2009

Bill-rock     Annapurna Circuit, Nepal     Buy
Winner, alpine humour category, NZAC Wellington Section competition 2004

Tasman Glacier sunset    A view south from Tasman Saddle Hut at sunset, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, NZ     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Winter Landscape Challenge, January 2022
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Natural beauty challenge, February 2022

Mt Aylmer    On the summit ridge of Mt Aylmer, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, NZ     
Winner, ViewBug - Landscape at top of the world Challenge, December 2021

Mount Armstrong     Summit view to Mount Brewster, Aspiring National Park, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - From the top of the mountain Challenge, August 2016
Winner, ViewBug - I feel so free Challenge, August 2016
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Your favourite adventure Challenge, August 2016
Winner, ViewBug - Your best New Zealand photo Challenge, September 2016
Finalist, Viewbug - Adventure sports Contest, March 2017
Winner, Viewbug - People on mountain tops Challenge, April 2018

Taking a load off    A view down the ridge to Milford Sound from about 1,250m, Mitre Peak, New Zealand    
Winner, ViewBug Staff favorite, February 2018
Winner, ViewBug Community choice award, November 2018

Razor    The view back down Mitre Peak's knife edged ridge from our high point at 1,430m, Fiordland, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - On the edge Challenge, May 2018

Our mountain   With my boys (7, 9 and 15 at the time) on the crater rim (2,400m), before we climbed on to the summit, with Fanthams peak behind, mount Taranaki, New Zealand    
Winner, ViewBug - A moment to remember Challenge, May 2018

Tawoche    Tawoche (6,495m) is dwarfed by a gigantic Himalayan sky filled with cirrus cloud, on the trail to Ama Dablam BC, Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, ViewBug - The sky is the limit Challenge, July 2020

Attentive host    Chhongbi asks if we want more tea, at a camp in a snowstorm on the trail to Nangpa La, Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, ViewBug - I want to know more Challenge, July 2020

Ancient art    A 77 year old mani stone carver in action, upper Pangboche, Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Handy work Challenge, September 2017

Passerby    A yak finds his way back to the fourth lake, above Gokyo, Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, ViewBug - Animals and their habitats Challenge, August 2016

Fly    Himalayan Griffons, with Ama Dablam behind, Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, ViewBug - Animals and a view Challenge, July 2016
Finalist, ViewBug - Layers and rule of thirds Contest, September 2016
Finalist, ViewBug - Creative critterscapes Contest, October 2016
Winner, ViewBug wall feature, November 2016
Winner, ViewBug - Member selection, December 2016

Of the land     An elderly woman near Tingri, Tibet     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Creative senior portraits Challenge, July 2016 

Tibetan beauty    A local woman poses in the Bakhor, outside the main entrance to the Jokhang, Lhasa, Tibet     
Winner, ViewBug - Models of colour Challenge, March 2017

Window on a different life    A small Sherpa boy ponders a picture of my Kiwi family, Dingboche (4,410m), Khumbu, Nepal     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Story or theme Challenge, October 2016
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Child portrait Challenge, May 2017

Into the light    At sunset at about 1,100 metres on a climb to Arete Hut, Tararua Ranges, New Zealand     
Finalist, ViewBug - Earth Day Contest, June 2023

Stern Valley    Stern Valley, early morning, Old Ghost Road trail, West Coast, New Zealand      
Excio Top 12 most impactful photographs of 2022

On a mission     Heading to Mount Cupola, in deep snow and deteriorating weather, Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Other sports Challenge, September 2016

Aoraki dusk     Aoraki Mount Cook, viewed at sunset from Mueller Hut, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Natural landmarks Challenge, October 2016

Sense of scale    The north face of Tahurangi, Ruapehu's highest summit, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - Natural thoughts Challenge, November 2016

Tripping the light fantastic    On the southern rim of North Crater at dawn, Tongariro National Park, NZ     
Winner, ViewBug - Lonely in a landscape Challenge, January 2018
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Best starburst Challenge, March 2018

Beacon in the galaxy    Cape Palliser lighthouse at 11pm, Wairarapa, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - starry Sky Challenge, June 2021

Back road    The Kaikoura mountains from the east, New Zealand    
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - A road to Challenge, April 2019

Tapuae O Uenuku    Awatere River valley dawn view, looking south to Tapuae O Uenuku, New Zealand    
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Nature's cut! A road end Challenge, March 2018

Sand sculptured     Sunset view from the cove below Cape Foulwind township, West Coast, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - Seascapes Challenge, July 2023

Summer Beacon    The lighthouse at Castle Point, Wairarapa, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Loving lighthouses Challenge, September 2021

Momentary companion     The now famous lone Willow on the shore of Lake Wanaka is paid a momentary visit, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug A single tree by the beach challenge, September 2018

Swan lake     Lake near Omarama, MacKenzie Country, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - Mist on the lake Challenge, December 2016

Encrusted    A lake beside the highway near Omarama, Canterbury, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - Signs of the seasons Challenge, February 2018

Rush     A portion of the lower section of Yosemite Falls during spring snow-melt, USA      
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Fast moving water Challenge, November 2020

Water walls     Bowen Falls, Milford Sound, New Zealand      
Winner, ViewBug - Mighty waterfalls Challenge, April 2017

Forest mist    One of many waterfalls on the Dardenelles Walkway, Blue Mountains, Australia     
Winner, ViewBug - Water in motion Challenge, December 2016

Leaves of a nation    Ferns near Marakopa Falls, New Zealand     
Finalist, ViewBug - Texture all around us Contest, March 2019

Stamen    Macro of a flower, Rarotonga     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Pestles and Stamens Challenge, September 2021

Too wet for the Weta     A native New Zealand tree Weta     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Creepy Crawlies Challenge, November 2022

Twilight     Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and Mt Taranaki, New Plymouth, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Tell me a story about your city Challenge, July 2016 
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Modern art Challenge, August 2016

The monsoon kiss    Getting licked in to shape at the South Saddle, Mount Matthews, Orongorongos, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Animals doing funny things Challenge, April 2018
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Everything about myself autoportret Challenge, April 2018

Furry sentry      Scruff keeps an eye on things, Bannockburn, Otago, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Cats big and small Challenge, July 2022

Caged spirit     A snow leopard, Melbourne Zoo     
Winner, ViewBug Staff favorite, July 2017

Toothy Philipino    Philippine sailfin water dragon, Melbourne Zoo, Australia     
Finalist, ViewBug - Reptiles Contest, October 2018

Penny for your thoughts     A contemplative Orangutan, Melbourne Zoo    
Winner, ViewBug - Fine art wildlife photography Challenge, October 2016
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Orangutan Challenge, May 2020

White Wizard     An owl at Alice Springs open air desert park, Australia 
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Owls in the wild Challenge, April 2020

The Impersonator     A native Tui, Zealandia eco-sanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand    
Winner, ViewBug - Wild animals and pets Challenge, March 2018

Archway Islands    Walking south along Wharariki Beach at susnset, with the Archway Islands as a backdrop, Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Beach photo, September 2020

Surge     Tunnel Beach, Dunedin, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - My favourite ocean view Challenge, May 2020

Personal space    Muriwai Gannet Colony, west coast, Auckland, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - Rookeries Challenge, January 2018

Repose     A statue of Buddha inside a temple, Ayutthaya, Thailand     
Winner, ViewBug - Lighting Challenge, September 2021

Repose     A statue of Buddha reclines in side a shrine, Bagan, Myanmar     
Winner, ViewBug - Images of the Buddha Challenge, October 2016

Morning ritual    People bathing at Fairlie Place Ghat, Hooghly River, Kolkata     
Winner, ViewBug - The colours of India Challenge, December 2016

Magnificence     Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Fujifilm only Challenge, February 2017
Winner, ViewBug - Bikes of all sorts Challenge, February 2017

Sentry    Maori carving, Wellington, New Zealand     
Winner, ViewBug - Unusual monuments Challenge, February 2017

Anger management issues    Weta Workshops' rendition of the Pale Orc, from the Hobbit trilogy     
Finalist, ViewBug - Halloween Contest, December 2016
Top shot award, Viewbug, February 2019
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Is this a dream or a nightmare? Challenge, May 2020

Calm     Near Aroa Beach at sunset, Rarotonga     
Winner, ViewBug - Pacific Island paradise challenge, September 2019
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Sunset on the water challenge, April 2020

Steel and bricks    Brooklyn Bridge at dawn, New York, USA     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Converging lines Challenge, March 2020

Into the light     The exit from a downtown subway station in Bethesda, Washington DC     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Subway station architecture Challenge, June 2017
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Urban infrastructure Challenge, December 2022

America     Two American icons, New York, USA     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Objects blowing in the wind Challenge, January 2021

Stacked    Roof tiles, Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam     
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Textures Challenge, March 2020
Winner, ViewBug peoples' choice - Abstract textures Challenge, October 2020

Aside from being a great way to learn about climbing and to meet climbers, joining the New Zealand Alpine Club also allows you to compete in the Club’s annual photographic competitions, both national and regional, plus enter the annual Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) photographic competition. This is a good way to get peer feedback about your mountain images. I enjoyed occasional success at these competitions, culminating in the national overall NZAC winner award in 2014. Since then I became a judge at the Wellington Regional competition for four years and am now the judge of the annual FMC competition. As a source of creative stimulation and a way to get wider peer feedback on my own favourite images, I’ve also established Occasional Climber portfolio pages on National Geographic Your Shot, ViewBug and Excio. Above are my occasional winners across these forums.

See a full list of my NZAC photo competition results       Photographer profile Climber Magazine Winter 14       Photographer profile NZ Photographer Magazine Oct 19      Confessions of a not so professional photographer NZ Photographer Magazine Dec 19