Distance: 0.8 km (0.3 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1123m to 1344m. Gain: 15m. Loss: 236m . Gradient: 18 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

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 (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

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

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

The ridge is broad and not exposed to falls - should be ok in winter with care.

A signpost and cairn mark the turnoff to Aokaparangi Hut - though the signpost is frequently missing.

The route is marked with cairns and hard to follow in poor visibility. Drop down the spur and find the biv on the bushedge 200m below - where the map says it should be.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

A 200 vertical meter climb up the tussock ridge takes you back to the track from Aokaparangi Hut.