options for Iron Gate hut

Yes - head upriver & cross the river as if you're going to Triangle. Follow the 'up and over' track up towards Triangle until you reach the highpoint of the track (where it dives right off the spur it is climbing). Continue up this spur. A roughly cut, occasionally marked route exists up the spur to the bushedge Beyond, it's knee-high scrub for a bit (rough) then tussock. Brings you out just SW of the Triangle-Deadmans-Rangi track junction. See: http://routeguides.co.nz/routes/xrv-514xrv515/?zoom=14 can't comment on current snow conditions. River can eaisily flood at Iron Gate.

Thanks for that. It looks interesting but not sure its really a winter option, Esspecially the river crossing at the bottom. Has anyone got a current view of the Ruahine tops to get an idea of any snow?

I concur with MadPom's route, probably the best way from Iron Gate onto the Whanahuia range. The route up the spur is roughly cut but passable. If you are coming over from Rangi anyway then you should be able to judge the snow/river conditions. I can't imagine it would be any different then heading over to Triangle apart from the lack of snow poles. You also have the bonus of heading back to the Rangi carpark via the Deadmans track so you don't have to repeat the walk up.

The times quoted make it quite do able but a waist plus winter river crossing at the bottom will be fun and its a long way back from there.

@geeves "Has anyone got a current view of the Ruahine tops to get an idea of any snow?" Big dump on the Ruahines/Kawekas overnight Sunday with plenty still there above c1400m. If I wasn't heading away this weekend I'd be up there playing in it..!

My trip is meant to be 19th June so we see what the weather brings before then but caning my trip and joining the easy group at Rangiwahia is sounding quite attractive. Iron Gate might have to wait. On a side note. A while ago I asked a question about Triangle which has a plaque in it saying it was moved in 84. Looking back through your old maps (79) seems to show it in much the same place so it cant of been moved very far.

Canning the trip because it might be a bit cold, Geeves? Harden up, man. John Rundle would be rolling in his grave if he heard you talking like that ;-p

Ok I would go but there are 3 catches. First and biggest is the state of the river when you get to it after 5 to 6 hours and less than an hour from the end. If there is no rain between now and then we should be good but its still a risk that needs managing. The route guide suggests a waist deep crossing at best and problems possible. Second it is rated a grade 2 and I dont know what alpine experience has been had by whoever else comes on the trip. Its fair to assume some snow up there and cloud could be another issue. Also I have not done this route before and when we did Deadmans a few months ago I do not remember seeing a side track which I will need to find if we are to complete this. Not insurmountable but another risk to manage. Third is whether anyone puts there name on the trip. If no one puts there name up Im not going solo. Ive been caught out by weather forecasts a few times either by cancelling on a bad forecast only to have hot sunny weather or not cancelling to find its worse than predicted. Ive only ever misplaced one other tramper I dont intend to misplace another.

When you get down to the river and find it uncrossable is it a suitable option to head back over the up and over to triangle? I see a river crossing is still required but there are no notes about this crossing