Distance: 4.1 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 341m to 1315m. Gain: 338m. Loss: 1306m . Gradient: 24 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, 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

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

Ice axe reccomended in snow / ice

Heading briefly south from Mangahuka Hut follow the main range track some 200m to Mangahuka highpoint, where a signpost just before the descent start marks a track SW to Neill Forks. Although the sign says 2 hours, allow 3 to be more realistic! A brief 5m climb is followed by a long descent over rock and tussock tops. The track is not marked, but the ridge is fairly obvious so long as you remember to swing east rather than south after crossing Mangahuka highpoint.

A DOC triangle on the bushedge is the first marker, and is followed by a good cut marked track through cloud forest. Several climbs and descents are required to reach Concertina Knob - an apt name.

On the summit the track swings south and descends precipitously to the Hector River. You could almost roll a rock off the top and have it stop at the swingbridge below. Crossing the bridge, Neill's Forks hut is on the opposite bank.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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