Distance: 9.4 km (9.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate-hard terrain
Altitude: 1011m to 1565m. Gain: 1178m. Loss: 1107m . Gradient: 14 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

Secondary, unmapped (4/5)
Route not on maps, an alternative recognised access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Tall, walkable scrub / large rocks, occasional waterfalls or gorges in rivers

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

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

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

No description

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Climb to the saddle west of Mt Fishtail, and follow the ridgeline west over a couple of small peaks before descending steeply SW back into the bush. The ridgeline descends rapidly to 1100m through open, mature beech, and it’s easy to believe you’ve followed a spur towards the valley floor. However, a saddle eventually appears with steep bluffs climbing beyond. These can be bypassed to the south for an easier climb to the scrubby summit of pt1269 - from where the descent due W along the main ridge is obvious. The ridge broadens and becomes scrubbier as it climbs to pt1359, and some compass work may be required. From here its 1.5km of hellish stunted beech NW to pt 1327. Gators are recommended – or be prepared to lose some skin. The low saddle towards Mt Fell is obvious when you reach it, but not before – don’t be tempted to drop looking for it until you can see it below you and due west. Several small bluffs make the descent more interesting, and be careful to avoid side-spurs leading you towards the valley floor. The climb from the saddle to Mt Fell is much easier. Climb due W up the obvious ridge though mature beech, interspersed grassy clearings and finally tussock. For Mt Fell summit continue up and W. Alternatively, the poled / marked track to Mt Fell hut can be reached 1km south along the bushline (it may be easier to climb a little out of the tussock/scrub before heading south for easier travel).