Distance: 1.9 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Marked route - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 976m to 1464m. Gain: 3m. Loss: 488m . Gradient: 15 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Iceaxe/crampons (4/7)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

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

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

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

Iceaxe/crampons (difficulty: 4/7)
Ice axe and crampons required in winter

Leaving Domine Biv we return to the poled route down the spur, 30m south of the hut. The well-used route continues down the spur on loose gravel and scree. 300m from the hut a signpost offers 2 alternatives: 'Trial Plot' (left) and 'Makahu' (right). Either will take you to Makahu Saddle, but the left turn to trial plot is actually the main track, leading soon to a maintained zigzag track down the face. The right-hand route takes you down a tricky steep loose gravel face and a tricky unmarked descent.

Assuming you took the left turn, the track leads down into manuka bush on the flats below. 20m from the roadend a signpost left leads to Makahu Saddle Hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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