An alternative easier summer route could be to continue sidling (in scrub) parallel to, and up to 200 metres from the Temple Col Stream on it’s true-left. Aim for the junction of the Mingha River and the stream draining Lake Mavis. Follow the Mingha River on its true-right until you can climb directly to the Goat Pass track.
By late winter quite large bergschrunds & possible cornices can form on the eastern approaches to Temple Col.
EDWARDS, OTEHAKE & HAWDON RIVERS
EDWARDS RIVER to TARUAHUNA PASS
Cross the Bealey River just above its confluence with the Mingha River (do not attempt in times of flood). Then cross the Mingha River and make for the tussock flat on the far true left bank. A staked and sign-posted trail commences here. Cross the small creek picking up the marked trail which provides a 20 minute by-pass of the lower Edwards Gorge. The gorge is also negotiable at low river levels. When the track re-emerges onto the river-bed, travel upstream on the true left climbing the bank once or twice where the going requires it. (Warning : there is now some exciting descents off the bank - get wet in lieu!)
Cross the East Edwards River above the place where it joins the main river, and pick up a well defined trail opposite. This track leads easily through bush until it emerges among the large tussock flats with a clear view of Edwards Hut. Total time from the road to the hut is three and a half hours. Continue upstream of the hut on the true left bank over tussock flats to the summit of Taruahuna Pass. This route, though long, is easy and well tracked. Time from the hut to the pass is about two hours.
UPPER EDWARDS to GOAT PASS
At a point approx. 300m upstream of the creek running down from Amber Col, and north of the stream running off Mt Oates, follow the steep grassed slope uphill towards the buttress on Mt Oates North Ridge. When about 150 metres below the base of this buttress sidle to the north and upwards around into a basin containing a small tarn. The North Ridge of Mt Oates is easily gained from here. A wide open ridge runs southwest down grassy slopes to Lake Mavis. From the lake sidle true right onto the back of the main ridge (rock cairns). A scree slope descends for 200 metres directly to Goat Pass (170 metres from the hut).
TARUAHUNA PASS down the OTEHAKE RIVER
Once on Taruahuna Pass bear somewhat right on the landslide debris towards the foot of the slopes below Tarn Col and pick a way down towards the head-waters of the Otehake River. This involves traversing down some rough but easy terraces. Skirt the green tarn to the left. Carry on down the river until it begins to drop away between high shingle banks on both sides. From here, keep to the terraces on the true left using defined tracks through the bush where the bush cover extends to the brink of cliffs.