Distance: 5.3 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmaintained track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 328m to 821m. Gain: 627m. Loss: 723m . Gradient: 15 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills:

Unmaintained track (5/9)
Former track, overgrown - markers / ground trail still followable

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

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

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

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

None (difficulty: 1/7)
No alpine skills required

The junction of the Whakaumu Track and 6foot track is signposted to Te Panaa and Te Pua, but the track to Te Pua is not immediately obvious. From the signpost, climb uphill, and pick up markers confirm that it was indeed a track. Maintenance seems to have stopped some time ago, and been substituted for more triangles.

Apart from the clinging bracken, the frequent windfall, the track is steady and not too strenuous. Rain fell as I ascended, and the tall undergrowth soon had me soaked - so negative memories may colour this description.

The track swings south along the broad ridgeline. It is joined at this point by a trapline and yellow triangles and more frequent track-cutting improve the route. Phone coverage is available at the Whakaumu summit.

The descent has been rerouted (2015) down the spur leading to the hut (not the face south of it as shown on maps). It is well marked and somewhat cut for the descent which was followable by torchlight when I visited. The cry of kiwi was my reward for a nighttime descent,

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description