Distance: 5.8 km (4.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1315m to 1703m. Gain: 906m. Loss: 518m . Gradient: 14 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, unmapped (2/5)
Route not on maps, but is 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

Pick a line and begin climbing to the ridge (to the right as you stand in the saddle, looking up). We started to traverse/climb from 1460m towards a tarn to camp but, if continuing on, simply follow the ridge all the way to 1674.

The water quality at the 1470m tarn was poor but a good source was found in the obvious gut further around and under 1674.

From camp, climb back to the ridge and continue up, over 1674, along the range and easy travel, with a two-stage steeper climb to Mt Lucia.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the summit, follow the range and easy travel, over 1694, 1680 and 1674 then descend into Boucher Saddle.

If intending to camp on the plateau W of 1674, a tarn can be seen from the tops although water quality in Mar 2020 was poor. Better water available in the obvious gut beforehand.