the feared Black Swamp,on the Pyke River route;has an undeserved reputation as we were through it without a whimper.This route is well marked,the real issues being the rivers & your preparedness.We were 18 days around the circuit,took our time & really enjoyed,warts `n all.We met rubber kayakers(Brian & Kat,Wanaka)who verily floated round in four days & three racehorses from Dunedin,who barrelled around in 7 days.We had lay days,explored & soaked it up.Not literally,for while we had 4 rain days,we only had an hour of real Fiordland rain.Truck loads of history to be experienced &, oh yeah,some not so shabby scenery.