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DOC Land
Altitude: 324m to 678m. Gain: 360m. Loss: 61m . Gradient: 9 deg (Moderate)
Skills: - Streams (2/6)
2km down the Mangatutara from the former hut site, you turn up the side creek downstream of pt 422 to start the crossing to the Waihunga. The creek is easily identifiable by the sharp dogs-leg at it’s mouth, and is the 1st after the flats end.
The valley is tight, scrubby – choked with lawyer and windfall. The only space clear of vegetation is in the water in the narrow creek-bed, and it’s the worst going so far of the official crossing route. There are also a few forks not shown on the map, but keeping track of how far you’ve gone, combined with good compass work should see you right. In summary: right at the 1st major fork (shown on map). Right at the next fork (not shown on map). The valley becomes steep, but the vegetation opens and the banks become sidleable at last. Then left at the next fork (final one shown on map), left, right at 2 more forks not shown. Finally the remaining trickle of a stream swings to the south, and it’s time to climb the track to the saddle. Only, predictably, there is no track. Just a compass bearing through the punga-bush, though I did spot one single piece of permolat in thick scrub at one point. Another compass bearing down the far side. Bluffs run beside the main stream when you reach it, and careful scouting is required to find a side-stream dropping gently enough through them to reach the riverbed safely