To reach the La Perouse Glacier, Névé and the North Face of Hicks

Descend 200m from the saddle, keeping right, then ascend 150m snow or loose rock to the horizontal section of the ridge running down from Mt Hicks, reaching a small névé. At this point, to reach the La Perouse Glacier between the upper and lower icefalls, follow down snow slopes to the right of the diagonal ridge. Otherwise to reach the upper La Perouse Névé, cross a small névé towards the North Rib of Hicks, descend a short distance beneath a rock buttress and cross to a flat ridge. Using the left of two obvious notches descend 150m down a steep rotten rock gully (which usually requires an abseil) and snowslope to reach the main glacier below the North Face of Hicks. Time from Empress to the La Perouse Névé 2-4 hours.