Award-winning Milky Way photo above Aoraki "became one of the most demanding challenges I had set for myself," says photographer

Snowy mountains under a vibrant, starry sky with the Milky Way arching overhead. A glowing tent sits to the right, creating a sense of solitude and wonder.

The journey to capture this award-winning image of the Milky Way above Aoraki in New Zealand (formerly known as Mount Cook) required far more than technical expertise behind the camera – it became "one of the most demanding challenges I had set for myself," says the photographer.

To reach the remote alpine location, astrophotographer Owain Scullion navigated steep rocky terrain and snow-covered slopes in challenging winter conditions, pursuing a photograph that would test both his endurance and decision-making.