Distance: 0.8 km (0.3 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1253m to 1345m. Gain: 92m. Loss: 12m . Gradient: 7 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) 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

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

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

Exposed to falls - ice axe at minimum advised in snow/ice

A gentle climb along a narrow ridgeline of tussock and gravel takes you from Ruapae to East Peak. DOC warn of a section of this ridgeline that is slipping away as a hazard - but it's no worse than many other ridgeline around - just stay off the crumbling eastern face.

East Peak is the junction of the Main Range and Haukura Ridge. A biv used to lie 1.5km down this ridge (now removed) but the route down the ridge an on to either Roaring Stage or Herepai is still usable.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From East Peak a gentle downhill walk on tussock and gravel takes you to the next summit of Ruapae. DOC warn of a section of this ridgeline that is slipping away as a hazard - but it's no worse than many other ridgeline around - just stay off the crumbling eastern face.