Distance: 2.2 km (3.0 DOC hours) - Unmarked route, clear - Moderate-hard terrain
Altitude: 666m to 1411m. Gain: 762m. Loss: 17m . Gradient: 21 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Occasional rivers (3/6) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot, avalanche risk (3/7)

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

Moderate-hard (difficulty: 4/5)
Tall, walkable scrub / large rocks, occasional waterfalls or gorges in rivers

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

Occasional rivers (difficulty: 3/6)
Occasional rivers - impassible after heavy rain

Snow/ice underfoot, avalanche risk (difficulty: 3/7)
Snow/ice likely on track, tramp crosses avalance paths

The Tararua tops can require ice axe and crampons but are more usually soft snow plugs with occasional icy patches.

In the sixties this was a well used cullers route. Head up Arete stream about 100m, cross the terrace and climb the spur. Very old markers may be of assistance but its probably easier now to make your own way through relatively open bush. Use the southern side of the ridge where the scrub starts, and look for a short steep gully on your right through a bluff around the 1100m contour. There is a good ground trail for the last 10min after you join the Bannister ridge.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

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