The Gladiator

From Douglas Pass, zig zag between small bluffs on gravel and snow ledges to reach the summit.
Often used as part of a packing route between the Landsborough and Karangarua valleys.

From Horace Walker Hut, cross to the true left bank of the Douglas River; the best crossing is usually the lake outlet. Follow the stream beneath the east face of The Pommel to a fork, cross this and travel between the two branches a short distance and then re-enter the true left fork and follow it until a waterfall is reached at about 980m. Enter the bush on the true right in the splash zone of the waterfall, then follow a vague spur up to a bench with scattered scrub at about 1060m. Head left (north-east) about 100m, then bash uphill through scrub to a large flat-topped boulder. This boulder is a clear marker when descending this route. Pass around the east side of the boulder to reach open tops. Head straight up to 1200m, and then angle right as you approach 1300m.
There is a small cliff band above with two small guts, both of which provide good access to tussock slopes above. Sidle to the right through a small tussock basin at about 1430m to reach the creek draining Mt Howitt at 1460m, and then ascend a spur on the true right which climbs between slabs to reach straightforward slopes above. Ascend to the Gladiator-Howitt Ridge, and then traverse easily to the summit.

An easy ridge with spectacular views of the Douglas and Landsborough valleys.
Climbed from the Karangarua by Arthur Harper in December 1894, and from Douglas Pass by Christopher Johnson, Scott Russell, Archie Scott in January 1935.