Routes
Huts / campsites
Roadends
Summits
Passes / crossings
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Junctions
DOC Land
Altitude: 817m to 1848m. Gain: 1049m. Loss: 39m . Gradient: 14 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6)
From the hut, head up the south fork of the Temple on the true left. A crossing to the true right is required downstream of the fork with the centre branch of the creek - generally the only tricky crossing in high flows.
Continue upriver through mature beech forest on the true tight of the creek, on the mossy valley floor, up old, dry river channels. The route is reasonable well traveled, but marked only by almost disintegrated blue feratox bags. Cross again to the TL and climb, a little before the next gorged section where a waterfall cascades from the right-hand bank. A large permolat X on a tree on the true left marks the start of the sidle route. Climb the spur and then look for a well-worn but unmarked route sidling upriver some 100m above the creek. If you can't find it, just guess and sidle - this altitude will keep you above the gorge. Occasional permolat markers may be found on the sidle track, but just keep your altitude constant as the river rises to meet you.
From here the valley is easy - travel through mossy beech forest on the valley floor, crossing the now-small stream as required. 800m beyond the sidle route you emerge into tussock. Swing south with the main valley, climbing steeply up the first of two steps. The second step 1km beyond is steeper and rockier. Routes are possible on either side of the creek - scree on the true left, rocky river channel on the true right.
Clambering over the lip of the face you emerge onto a moraine wall pt1864, containing the first of several small tarns at the head of the valley. Rocky campspots are present. A beautiful spot on a nice day, but grey and bleak in a cold southerly.