Mount John Summit Circuit
Lake Tekapo Walkway, direct route to summit
Your Nature Guide
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Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Photos
Information
Mount John Summit Circuit
Approx 3 km return | 1 hour 30 minutes return
360 degree panoramas. One of the best viewpoints in the country accessible by road (or foot). Mount John is a resistant cap of rock in an otherwise moraine filled basin. Mountain sprinkled in snow, parched tussock flats and turquoise lakes. Sounds too good to believe?!
Walking Track
Access
You can either walk up (see Mount John via Lakeshore).
Or you can drive up. Just before the settlement of Lake Tekapo on SH8 coming from Twizel, turn into Godley Peaks Road. Continue 2 km to the gate and kiosk on the right.
As this road is privately maintained by the University of Canterbury, there is an $8 access charge.
Take care on the narrow drive up to the parking areas at the top. During busy times you may have to wait while traffic descends.
The start of the track is signposted from the carpark entrance.
Track
The track can be followed either clockwise or anticlockwise. It is often narrow and rocky, but there is little gradient. It circumnavigates the summit with views changing from Lake Tekapo to the MacKenzie Basin to the highest peaks of the Southern Alps and everything in between.
Geology
The MacKenzie country is a moonscape. This elevated plateau was infilled by the outwash of glaciations. During Ice Ages, glaciers forming in the high peaks of the Southern Alps, disgorged vast quantities of material during their retreat. These meltwater rivers carried gravels, sands and silts, dumping their load in the natural contours and flattening them out.
Lying at altitude of over 600 metres and being in the rainshadow of the mountains, the dry, cold country around Lake Tekapo experiences a continental climate similar to Siberia. Summers are very hot, winters are very cold and there is little rainfall. This is why the area is so arid and dusty.
Mount John is a roche moutonee - or rock sheep. An outcrop of resistant rock has the effect of slowing a glacier in its tracks, arresting its flow and diminishing its erosive powers. An attenuated slope results. Conversely on the downstream side, an acceleration increases its erosive power, giving a steeper slope. Observed from a side view, the shape resembles a sheep - at least it did to French geologists who first described these features.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Lake Tekapo |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Awesome views at the top.
One of the best walks. 300m solid uphill zigzag through the pine forest to get there but well worth it. Didn’t want to leave. The cafe at the top was great. It closes at 2pm.
J![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(222,134,13)" /><path d="m 150 713 Q 174 126 -413 150 Q 174 174 150 -413 Q 126 174 713 150 Q 126 126 150 713 z" fill="rgb(153,36,221)" /><path d="m 150 341 Q 234 66 -41 150 Q 234 234 150 -41 Q 66 234 341 150 Q 66 66 150 341 z" fill="rgb(102,219,34)" /><path d="m 150 223 Q 106 194 77 150 Q 106 106 150 77 Q 194 106 223 150 Q 194 194 150 223 z" fill="rgb(33,121,242)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Nice walk up to the observatory.
Fantastic view. Ok café at the top. Enjoyed walking up and down.
FD![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(195,215,125)" /><path d="m 150 689 Q 166 134 -389 150 Q 166 166 150 -389 Q 134 166 689 150 Q 134 134 150 689 z" fill="rgb(21,20,21)" /><path d="m 150 551 Q 148 152 -251 150 Q 148 148 150 -251 Q 152 148 551 150 Q 152 152 150 551 z" fill="rgb(234,235,234)" /><path d="m 150 297 Q 279 21 3 150 Q 279 279 150 3 Q 21 279 297 150 Q 21 21 150 297 z" fill="rgb(60,40,130)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
This walk starts close to the Tekapo Springs and steadily climbs to the Observatory.
Excellent views from the top!
DH![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(163,102,172)" /><path d="m 150 660 Q 155 145 -360 150 Q 155 155 150 -360 Q 145 155 660 150 Q 145 145 150 660 z" fill="rgb(10,212,199)" /><path d="m 150 499 Q 126 174 -199 150 Q 126 126 150 -199 Q 174 126 499 150 Q 174 174 150 499 z" fill="rgb(245,43,56)" /><path d="m 150 353 Q 271 29 -53 150 Q 271 271 150 -53 Q 29 271 353 150 Q 29 29 150 353 z" fill="rgb(92,153,83)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
Nice walk, steep at times.
On the occasion we visited, it was exceptionally windy, maybe the norm there. Great view from the top. A cafe at the top which is always nice.
AS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(222,88,201)" /><path d="m 150 723 Q 194 106 -423 150 Q 194 194 150 -423 Q 106 194 723 150 Q 106 106 150 723 z" fill="rgb(140,198,146)" /><path d="m 150 447 Q 126 174 -147 150 Q 126 126 150 -147 Q 174 126 447 150 Q 174 174 150 447 z" fill="rgb(115,57,109)" /><path d="m 150 170 Q 133 167 130 150 Q 133 133 150 130 Q 167 133 170 150 Q 167 167 150 170 z" fill="rgb(33,167,54)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Less crowded than the Tekapo Village and 360 degree view of the surroundings.
Drive up ($8) or walk up (40 minutes). Can get very windy, but an awesome lookout.
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5.0/5
This DOC walk took about 45 minutes to the top of the summit, where an observatory and cute cafe was waiting for us.
The walk itself was steep in some parts, but anyway suitable for families and seniors. It was very windy at the top and we had a beautiful view over Lake Tekapo.
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3.5/5
A beautiful and not too difficult walk with a stunning lake and mountain view.
Even on a sunny day enough space to find a peaceful atmosphere, not crowded.
S![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(210,142,85)" /><path d="m 150 711 Q 228 72 -411 150 Q 228 228 150 -411 Q 72 228 711 150 Q 72 72 150 711 z" fill="rgb(196,166,109)" /><path d="m 150 464 Q 64 236 -164 150 Q 64 64 150 -164 Q 236 64 464 150 Q 236 236 150 464 z" fill="rgb(59,89,146)" /><path d="m 150 144 Q 122 178 156 150 Q 122 122 150 156 Q 178 122 144 150 Q 178 178 150 144 z" fill="rgb(45,113,170)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Beautiful easy uphill walk to the Summit of Mt John by Lake Tekapo.
About a one hour walk unless you watch the sunset (highly recommend, just be careful on your way down).
BJ![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(96,48,104)" /><path d="m 150 697 Q 128 172 -397 150 Q 128 128 150 -397 Q 172 128 697 150 Q 172 172 150 697 z" fill="rgb(98,23,74)" /><path d="m 150 497 Q 247 53 -197 150 Q 247 247 150 -197 Q 53 247 497 150 Q 53 53 150 497 z" fill="rgb(157,232,181)" /><path d="m 150 273 Q 173 127 27 150 Q 173 173 150 27 Q 127 173 273 150 Q 127 127 150 273 z" fill="rgb(159,207,151)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
The views from the observatory are amazing.
The walk is steep, but short and sharp. The cafe at the top is great. Plenty of parking just next to the town centre.
MC![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(151,12,240)" /><path d="m 150 647 Q 81 219 -347 150 Q 81 81 150 -347 Q 219 81 647 150 Q 219 219 150 647 z" fill="rgb(60,131,186)" /><path d="m 150 458 Q 221 79 -158 150 Q 221 221 150 -158 Q 79 221 458 150 Q 79 79 150 458 z" fill="rgb(195,124,69)" /><path d="m 150 139 Q 187 113 161 150 Q 187 187 150 161 Q 113 187 139 150 Q 113 113 150 139 z" fill="rgb(104,243,15)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Fairly easy trek, with stellar views of the lake from the top.
Would suggest going midday as that is when the sun is overhead and the lake is at its brightest!
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5.0/5
What views!!
Great area. Walking track to the Summit at Mt John. All really well signposted for trampers.
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4.5/5
Go up to the observatory.
Great views of Lake Tekapo and the scenery up to Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook/Aoraki.
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5.0/5
Went up the steep shorter route and down the much longer 'back' way.
Breathtaking views at the top and on the way down. Strongly advise doing this way round!
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5.0/5
Very well marked walk, we did it at 7am and had a great trek to the top.
Steep in places but all on a path. Good 360 degree walk around the top - take your camera!!
PW![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(58,75,234)" /><path d="m 150 519 Q 60 240 -219 150 Q 60 60 150 -219 Q 240 60 519 150 Q 240 240 150 519 z" fill="rgb(5,199,28)" /><path d="m 150 331 Q 202 98 -31 150 Q 202 202 150 -31 Q 98 202 331 150 Q 98 98 150 331 z" fill="rgb(250,56,227)" /><path d="m 150 200 Q 71 229 100 150 Q 71 71 150 100 Q 229 71 200 150 Q 229 229 150 200 z" fill="rgb(197,180,21)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
Track is very steep.
No shelter from the sun. At the top is a restaurant with good coffee. Down is also very steep and through a lovely forest.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(60,184,115)" /><path d="m 150 505 Q 45 255 -205 150 Q 45 45 150 -205 Q 255 45 505 150 Q 255 255 150 505 z" fill="rgb(193,247,179)" /><path d="m 150 433 Q 186 114 -133 150 Q 186 186 150 -133 Q 114 186 433 150 Q 114 114 150 433 z" fill="rgb(62,8,76)" /><path d="m 150 231 Q 71 229 69 150 Q 71 71 150 69 Q 229 71 231 150 Q 229 229 150 231 z" fill="rgb(195,71,140)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(163,242,174)" /><path d="m 150 622 Q 162 138 -322 150 Q 162 162 150 -322 Q 138 162 622 150 Q 138 138 150 622 z" fill="rgb(142,149,242)" /><path d="m 150 331 Q 104 196 -31 150 Q 104 104 150 -31 Q 196 104 331 150 Q 196 196 150 331 z" fill="rgb(113,106,13)" /><path d="m 150 268 Q 173 127 32 150 Q 173 173 150 32 Q 127 173 268 150 Q 127 127 150 268 z" fill="rgb(92,13,81)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(141,96,71)" /><path d="m 150 618 Q 177 123 -318 150 Q 177 177 150 -318 Q 123 177 618 150 Q 123 123 150 618 z" fill="rgb(251,199,157)" /><path d="m 150 469 Q 154 146 -169 150 Q 154 154 150 -169 Q 146 154 469 150 Q 146 146 150 469 z" fill="rgb(4,56,98)" /><path d="m 150 127 Q 250 50 173 150 Q 250 250 150 173 Q 50 250 127 150 Q 50 50 150 127 z" fill="rgb(114,159,184)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(16,240,197)" /><path d="m 150 511 Q 79 221 -211 150 Q 79 79 150 -211 Q 221 79 511 150 Q 221 221 150 511 z" fill="rgb(8,87,67)" /><path d="m 150 497 Q 256 44 -197 150 Q 256 256 150 -197 Q 44 256 497 150 Q 44 44 150 497 z" fill="rgb(247,168,188)" /><path d="m 150 178 Q 140 160 122 150 Q 140 140 150 122 Q 160 140 178 150 Q 160 160 150 178 z" fill="rgb(239,15,58)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(1,166,246)" /><path d="m 150 606 Q 198 102 -306 150 Q 198 198 150 -306 Q 102 198 606 150 Q 102 102 150 606 z" fill="rgb(124,203,9)" /><path d="m 150 340 Q 190 110 -40 150 Q 190 190 150 -40 Q 110 190 340 150 Q 110 110 150 340 z" fill="rgb(131,52,246)" /><path d="m 150 312 Q 196 104 -12 150 Q 196 196 150 -12 Q 104 196 312 150 Q 104 104 150 312 z" fill="rgb(254,89,9)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(76,70,68)" /><path d="m 150 562 Q 224 76 -262 150 Q 224 224 150 -262 Q 76 224 562 150 Q 76 76 150 562 z" fill="rgb(91,239,129)" /><path d="m 150 344 Q 262 38 -44 150 Q 262 262 150 -44 Q 38 262 344 150 Q 38 38 150 344 z" fill="rgb(164,16,126)" /><path d="m 150 334 Q 272 28 -34 150 Q 272 272 150 -34 Q 28 272 334 150 Q 28 28 150 334 z" fill="rgb(179,185,187)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(59,102,37)" /><path d="m 150 584 Q 215 85 -284 150 Q 215 215 150 -284 Q 85 215 584 150 Q 85 85 150 584 z" fill="rgb(41,178,177)" /><path d="m 150 453 Q 154 146 -153 150 Q 154 154 150 -153 Q 146 154 453 150 Q 146 146 150 453 z" fill="rgb(214,77,78)" /><path d="m 150 241 Q 216 84 59 150 Q 216 216 150 59 Q 84 216 241 150 Q 84 84 150 241 z" fill="rgb(196,153,218)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(198,107,38)" /><path d="m 150 659 Q 184 116 -359 150 Q 184 184 150 -359 Q 116 184 659 150 Q 116 116 150 659 z" fill="rgb(69,174,103)" /><path d="m 150 505 Q 61 239 -205 150 Q 61 61 150 -205 Q 239 61 505 150 Q 239 239 150 505 z" fill="rgb(186,81,152)" /><path d="m 150 279 Q 105 195 21 150 Q 105 105 150 21 Q 195 105 279 150 Q 195 195 150 279 z" fill="rgb(57,148,217)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(243,65,68)" /><path d="m 150 654 Q 49 251 -354 150 Q 49 49 150 -354 Q 251 49 654 150 Q 251 251 150 654 z" fill="rgb(189,78,127)" /><path d="m 150 336 Q 217 83 -36 150 Q 217 217 150 -36 Q 83 217 336 150 Q 83 83 150 336 z" fill="rgb(66,177,128)" /><path d="m 150 298 Q 89 211 2 150 Q 89 89 150 2 Q 211 89 298 150 Q 211 211 150 298 z" fill="rgb(12,190,187)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(228,107,243)" /><path d="m 150 678 Q 148 152 -378 150 Q 148 148 150 -378 Q 152 148 678 150 Q 152 152 150 678 z" fill="rgb(123,14,127)" /><path d="m 150 386 Q 257 43 -86 150 Q 257 257 150 -86 Q 43 257 386 150 Q 43 43 150 386 z" fill="rgb(132,241,128)" /><path d="m 150 238 Q 229 71 62 150 Q 229 229 150 62 Q 71 229 238 150 Q 71 71 150 238 z" fill="rgb(27,148,12)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Awesome views at the top.
One of the best walks. 300m solid uphill zigzag through the pine forest to get there but well worth it. Didn’t want to leave. The cafe at the top was great. It closes at 2pm.
J -
4.5/5
Nice walk up to the observatory.
Fantastic view. Ok café at the top. Enjoyed walking up and down.
FD -
4.5/5
Less crowded than the Tekapo Village and 360 degree view of the surroundings.
Drive up ($8) or walk up (40 minutes). Can get very windy, but an awesome lookout.
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4.5/5
This walk starts close to the Tekapo Springs and steadily climbs to the Observatory.
Excellent views from the top!
DH -
3.5/5
Nice walk, steep at times.
On the occasion we visited, it was exceptionally windy, maybe the norm there. Great view from the top. A cafe at the top which is always nice.
AS -
5.0/5
This DOC walk took about 45 minutes to the top of the summit, where an observatory and cute cafe was waiting for us.
The walk itself was steep in some parts, but anyway suitable for families and seniors. It was very windy at the top and we had a beautiful view over Lake Tekapo.
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4.0/5
The views from the observatory are amazing.
The walk is steep, but short and sharp. The cafe at the top is great. Plenty of parking just next to the town centre.
MC -
4.5/5
Beautiful easy uphill walk to the Summit of Mt John by Lake Tekapo.
About a one hour walk unless you watch the sunset (highly recommend, just be careful on your way down).
BJ -
3.5/5
A beautiful and not too difficult walk with a stunning lake and mountain view.
Even on a sunny day enough space to find a peaceful atmosphere, not crowded.
S -
5.0/5
Fairly easy trek, with stellar views of the lake from the top.
Would suggest going midday as that is when the sun is overhead and the lake is at its brightest!
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5.0/5
What views!!
Great area. Walking track to the Summit at Mt John. All really well signposted for trampers.
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4.5/5
Go up to the observatory.
Great views of Lake Tekapo and the scenery up to Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook/Aoraki.
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5.0/5
Went up the steep shorter route and down the much longer 'back' way.
Breathtaking views at the top and on the way down. Strongly advise doing this way round!
-
5.0/5
Very well marked walk, we did it at 7am and had a great trek to the top.
Steep in places but all on a path. Good 360 degree walk around the top - take your camera!!
PW -
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4.5/5
Brilliant views of Lake Tekapo and Southern Alps, coffee is waiting at the top.
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4.0/5
Very quick ascent to the top.
Enjoy great views of Lake Tekapo. Come back down lake shore path. Amazing views the whole way down.
MP![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(215,255,210)" /><path d="m 150 595 Q 48 252 -295 150 Q 48 48 150 -295 Q 252 48 595 150 Q 252 252 150 595 z" fill="rgb(229,91,133)" /><path d="m 150 541 Q 54 246 -241 150 Q 54 54 150 -241 Q 246 54 541 150 Q 246 246 150 541 z" fill="rgb(26,164,122)" /><path d="m 150 292 Q 293 7 8 150 Q 293 293 150 8 Q 7 293 292 150 Q 7 7 150 292 z" fill="rgb(40,0,45)" /></svg>)
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