Distance: 1.9 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 787m to 1223m. Gain: 439m. Loss: 3m . Gradient: 13 deg (Moderate)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, 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

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

A good cut, marked track climbs directly behind Leon Kinvig Hut towards the main range. The climb is steady and ok. Emerging out of the bush the tops are a mixture of tussock and leatherleaf, but the track is well cut through the scrub. Routes south to Apiti Saddle look tempting on the map, but are solid tall leatherleaf and would be hard going. Continuing north east on the track, the track junction with the Apiti Track is at the northern end of pt1232 and is signposted.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the signposted track junction follow the Leon Kinvig sign SW down the range, until the track drops west (later north) towards the Pohongina Valley. (Routes further south along the range look very difficult owing to thick, high leatherleaf) The descent is steady on a good cut, marked track. The hut isdirectly on the track, just above the river.