Routes
Huts / campsites
Roadends
Summits
Passes / crossings
Scenic features
Junctions
DOC Land
Altitude: 201m to 629m. Gain: 1111m. Loss: 1180m . Gradient: 18 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
Following the makred track downriver from Wharekahika, it cuts up a spur and climbs over a section of gorged valley before descending to the next forks where large grassy flats make excellent camping. The river must be crossed but is ankle deep in normal flows.
50m below the confluence, two yellow triangles on the eastern bank mark the start of the route up to Ahirongahua. The first 20m are a steep scramble up a crumbling face, before a defined spur appears. A mix of orange triangles, permolat and yellow triangles mark the route up the spur. A steep climb leads to the main ridgeline from where the track continues WE climbing more gently to Ahirongahua highpoint. Several traplines branch off the main ridge, so take care not to follow the wrong track. Arirongahua has 3 separate summits. Keep with the main ridgeline heading SE at the first two. At the third, head south along a descending ridge. 100m beyond the summit, a junction marked with yellow triangles is labelled 'Ngatamatea Camp', pointing SE.
A well marked track drops SE from the junction down an obvious spur to reach the top forks in the Ngatametea stream. From here, head downriver - ignoring triangles heading east. Flats of broad-leaved tall grass are encountered at the confluence with the 2nd sidecreek from the west. Immediately beyond the sidecreek an obvious but unmarked track climbs onbto a terrace 10m above, where Ngatametea Hut sits out of sight from the river.