Waiting for the ideal weather window just days before Christmas 2023, my friend Jacob and I caught some waves on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. When the famous Mt. Fuji double finally emerged from the clouds, we threw everything into our vans and drove to the trailhead. After a long and exhausting ascent – with several bottles of wine in our packs – we reached Syme Hut, where we made traditional German mulled wine to capture a bit of Christmas spirit. Blessed with unbelievable conditions, this hike remains iconic, and the photos prove it.