Distance: 4.2 km (3.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 377m to 1344m. Gain: 174m. Loss: 1139m . Gradient: 19 deg (Steep)
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

Steep (difficulty: 5/5)
Steep climbs of >1000m

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

From the summit of Aokaparangi, a poled route drops SSE to the bushedge. A cut, marked track begins, and drops steeply and relentlessly for 1000 vertical meters to the Waiohine River below. The river is crossed on a swingbridge, and then a brief climb-then-descend sidle north on the track takes you to Mid Waiohine Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

An unnecessary-feeling climb-then-descent takes you south from Mid Waiohine Hut to the swingbridge. 100m of easy walking follows then the climb begins. Very steep for the first 600m, then a series of gentle climbs & steep bursts after that. Good cut track, but steep, relentless and hard going for 1000 vertical meters.

At the bushedge you're level with Aokaparangi Hut, but the face is steep and scrubby, so easiest is to climb to the summit a further 200m above the bushline.