Distance: 1.0 km (1.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1406m to 1686m. Gain: 297m. Loss: 17m . Gradient: 19 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) Winter - Iceaxe/crampons (4/7)

Unmarked route, clear (7/9)
Unmarked route, follows obvious geography (river, spur, trail, etc)

Primary, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is 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

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

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

From Rangi Saddle, a narrow unmarked ground trail climbvs SE towards Rangioteatua. The climb is steep, but on short tussock it is reasonable going to the first knob. A short saddle follows, then another, steeper climb to the main peak. Things become steep and rocky 80m or so up this ascent, and a scree chute to the north looks tempting. It is not recommended though as it steep and is little more than gravel-on-rock and offers no purchase to climb. So persist with the rocky spur and zigzag round the outcrops until the next knob when you get onto good stable rocks, and the gradient drops to a walk rather than scramble. After the steep climb, Rangioteatua is a gently rounded summit with views over the Hawkes Bay plains.

The summit, where this route meets the main NS Ruahine Main Range route is marked by a large cairn.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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