Altitude: 1215m to 1690m. Gain: 646m. Loss: 1015m . Gradient: 10 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) - Streams (2/6)
The cairned/marked route continues along the west-east ridge between Motutere and Thunderbolt, ending up back down in the Waipakihi Valley. The tops route into the southern Kaimanawas, however, drops off to the south, initially following a high tributary of the Waipakihi and then moving onto a narrow, rocky ridge. This then broadens out onto the eastern ridge leading up to Karikaringa. From the peak, drop down the southern spur towards pt 1550. The ridge between pts 1550 and 1436 is quite challenging, with some exposed scrambling over and around rocky peaks. From pt 1436, the terrain changes markedly to the more open, rounded forms of the southern Kaimanawas. The ground cover on the northern side of the Akeake Valley is shin to knee deep herbfield and requires concentration to keep knees and ankles intact. There is probably easier access to Akeake Stream, and better camping spots, a little to the west of where I chose to drop into the stream. Note that at about 750 metres south-west of pt 1436, you enter a block of private leasehold land and must get permission from the leaseholder, Helisika, before entering.