Distance: 4.0 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 118m to 1417m. Gain: 1299m. Loss: 1m . 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 Rapid Creek Hut, follow the short track to the Whitcombe and then follow the riverbed /bank up to rapid Creek. Follow markers up the north side of rapid creek to the swingbridge.

From the swingbridge a mix of permolat and tape markers on a cut track make a gentle sidling climb of the northern side of Rapid Creek for 200m before attaining the obvious spur climbing west. A long steady climb follows to the scrubline at 800m. The gradient eases at the scrubline and an easier walk follows along the cut/marked route to reach open tussock tops at 1100m. A further 300m of easy ascent reads to the summit. Tracks on this spur are maintained by permolat volunteers and marked with white permolat markers.

2-3.5hrs

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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