Distance: 2.5 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate terrain
Altitude: 1020m to 1577m. Gain: 566m. Loss: 44m . Gradient: 14 deg (Moderate-hard)
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)

minor (5/5)
A viable route, not widely used

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Continuous moderate climbs

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

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

From the highpoint of the up-and-over track (Triangle to Iron Gates) it is possible to follow the spur upwards to Mangahuia highpoint. This route has been lightly cut through bush and tall scrub, and marked with marker tape and is maintained fairly regularly by local trampers. Once out of tall scrub into knee-high stuff the track cutting / marking stops and a scrubby scramble remains up the last 200m vertical meters to Deadmans Track on Mangahuia highpoint. The track junction with the Rangiwahia/Triangle Hut track is 400m to the north along the range.

This route serves as a good escape route if unable to cross the Oroua to Iron Gates Hut

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

No description