Distance: 4.4 km (2.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 755m to 1237m. Gain: 983m. Loss: 503m . Gradient: 20 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

Expect snow/ice above bushedge. Climb from bush to saddle was gentle so crampons probably not required.

From Devilskin Saddle, follow poles NE down to Blind Creek and pick up the track on the true right at the bushedge. A marked cut track (2018) initially sidles away from the Creek then drops steeply back to it. More sidle & descent until finally turning away from Blind Ck onto terraces in the Nina. Several side creeks might cause concern in heavy rain but the final creek crossing would be a major hazard. Nina hut is 1km further along the track. Significant windfall (2018) made this a slower trip

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A marked, cut (2018) tramping track follows terraces west from Nina hut before climbing steeply into Blind Creek. A further sidle & climbs follow until the creek rises to join the track. The old Devils Den Biv (2007) was located on the bushedge by the creek - a dark, cold spot, but the new hut has been built further up on the saddle itself. The climb to the saddle from the bushedge is poled, over low tussock but with some large holes. Significant windfall (2018) made this a slower trip