Distance: 5.4 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1062m to 1408m. Gain: 535m. Loss: 685m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate)
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, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, 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

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

From McIntosh to Bridge Peak the Main Range route follows the narrow ridgeline over a series of peaks, scrambling 100m-or-so over each. The route is on good tussock and not badly exposed to bluffs, etc, but this section catches the worst of the winds, which seem to be amplified through the low saddle. This route should not be attempted in strong winds. Potential escape routes exists down spurs to Penn Creek, but are scrubby with leatherleaf and would be hard going.

After the last knob, Boyd Wilson, a long, gentle climb follows up Bridge Peak. Just before the summit a poled short-cut track cuts SSW to Kime Hut, or you can continue another 250m to the main signposted track junction on Bridge Peak (recommended in poor visibility).

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From Bridge Peak, a poled route heads west to edge of the flat tops and the start of a long ridgeline dropping ENE. The route in not poled beyond the edge of the plateau, but has a good ground trail. This initial section is very exposed to strong winds - many times stronger here than on the tops. Not to be tried in strong winds.

Reaching the first saddle the ridgeline rises and falls, scrambling over a series of 100m knobs before finally reaching McIntosh. At the northern end of McIntosh blue poles mark a junction with a rough track/route down to Penn Creek Hut.