Distance: 4.1 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Marked route - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 813m to 1344m. Gain: 607m. Loss: 89m . Gradient: 10 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Occasional scrambles (3/7) - Prolonged rivers (4/6)

Marked route (6/9)
Uncut route, with markers normally within sight

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Occasional moderate climbs

Moderate (difficulty: 3/5)
Low scrub in open or bush / river rocks

Occasional scrambles (difficulty: 3/7)
Tramp with some scrambles and exposure to falls

Prolonged rivers (difficulty: 4/6)
Frequent river travel - impassible after rain, risk of getting trapped

Unknown (difficulty: 0/7)
Not specified

No description

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

Note: Navigating this section of the Taipoiti River requires travel in the riverbed down a steep, narrow gorge. Countless crossings are required. At the bottom, this route also crosses the White River. Do not attempt this route without strong river crossing skills, and do not attempt it in high flows, in rain, or if rain is forecast.

From Harmon Pass, follow a clear boot path also marked by waratahs and cairns that descends from the pass slightly and sidles hard to the left, crossing one and then a second branch of the Taipoiti. The head of the Taipoiti valley is bluffed and the river comes down in waterfalls — the sidle avoids these obstacles.

Where the sidle track drops to the riverbed, continue downstream in the river, crossing from side to side where necessary. I did not notice any waratahs or any particular boot path through the gorge. As the river descends, the water grows deeper and the flow stronger. If, as you are descending, you struggle at any point to find a safe crossing, turn back, return to Ariel's Tarns, and wait for the river to go down — crossings will not be easier lower down.

In the lower reaches of the Taipoiti, a vague boot path on the TL bank appears, although it seems to have suffered many washouts.

Continue down to the confluence with the White River and look for a safe place to cross. In low mid-summer flows, the White was straightforward, shin-deep and not too fast. On the opposite bank, look for a large orange triangle marker that signals the start of the clear, well-marked track through the bush on the river's edge to Carrington Hut.