This photo was taken just before midnight on the North island of New Zealand. The mountain peaking out from the clouds in the background is actually a volcano called Mount Taranaki. Behind us was a small lean-to structure where we spent the night before attempting to ascend the monstrous peak. As we set out early the next morning, the heavy rain got us soaking wet before we even made it above the some 2,000 man-made steps. As the climb continued, the weather took a turn for the worse. The torrential rain turned to snow and we never reached the summit. Beautiful but, ruthless.