Altitude: 766m to 1031m. Gain: 274m. Loss: 179m . Gradient: 8 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Prolonged rivers (4/6)
It is important to locate the northern most stream coming down from Bull Basin into the Telford, as there is another one only 100m south of it which will take you up the wrong spur, and they gorge out as the gradient increases.
Climb steeply straight up the true right side above the stream through open bush. A small bluff is encountered at about the 900m contour which once you climb through it becomes a distinct ridge line. At the bush line, look for a dry stream bed which provides easy access through the brief dense scrub belt.
Bull Basin is open tall tussock. Cross the basin to the stream and follow this down into the Wairaki. The clumpy tussock is slow going but soon you'll want to stay high in it as the stream banks become scrubbier and scrubbier. Sidle high on the true left (north) staying above scrub and below steep faces until the last spur leading down to the forks at Upper Wairaki Hut. Good deer trails lead down the spur to hit the creek opposite the hut.