Distance: 2.2 km (2.0 DOC hours) - Unmaintained track - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 661m to 1440m. Gain: 12m. Loss: 791m . Gradient: 22 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Occasional rivers (3/6) Winter - Iceaxe/crampons (4/7)

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

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

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

Descending this without an ice-axe if snow is present below the 1300m contour is a very dangerous proposition. I know this from experience!

From the highpoint at pt1470, a brief steep descent takes you onto a narrow ridge running east. The route is unpoled, but obvious at this point. Though narrow, this can be traversed with care in most conditions (unlike the Waiohine Pinnacles to the south which are lethal with a coating of ice). The descent east from pt1295 starts off reasonable, but soon gets very steep. This is a trecherous descent in snow, ice or wet conditions and you are likely to find yourself seeking out patches of low scrub which at least provide something to hold on to.

Make sure you find the start of the track. The scrub belt is typically overgrown (2006)but the track is definitely the best place to tackle it. From the bush edge proper it gets quite steep - you'll be grateful of the roots and bushes that provide handholds in a number of places. Cross the river to the hut.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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