Pyke-Big Bay Route

Last time I was there was 1998 and I doubt much has changed. We came down the Diorite to Olivine Hut and then out to Alabaster Hut. The route used to follow the river bank when I had last been there in the 1970s as it is fairly swampy. However erosion and changed in river direction have meant that the route now goes along the edge of the valley. I say route because while new markers had been put in in 1998 there was no track on the ground and you were skirting the edge of swamp and climbing over logs most of the time. Around the lake itself you just follow the edge of the lake but continuous windfalls force you out into the lake. I think I walked most of the way around over knee deep, I found it easier to keep my feet IN the water all the time rather than alternating between IN the water and OUT of the water. It is not easy country and DOC's warning that delays are probable is absolutely correct. It is an area with a heavy rainfall, a lot of swamp and if side streams get up then it will be all water. Allow a couple of extra days to do this trip.

The best info you can get on this route is Moir's Guide South 7th 2007 Edition Edited by Robin McNeil.On page 52 and 53 it has the whole route description. If you can't find a copy, I work in a bookshop and can get you a copy. I see we havn't got it on the shelf at the moment but I have just ordered one. See http://tinyurl.com/46hkej

Oops, disregard that link. That is the old edition. Here is the correct one http://tinyurl.com/yspwxl

I like the sound of this, albeit I am beginning to think it might be wise not to attempt it alone. Thank you for the link, have placed an order for the book this morning.

I see the order and will make sure it gets to you ASAP. It depends what you are expecting on your own. You are not likely to see a lot of people on that circut plus it is rough going in places. So you would need to be fairly sure of yourself. If you are interested in the history of that area, a good book is "The land of Doing Without" by Julia Bradshaw. It is a recent book and is the biography of Davy Gunn who used to run cattle in there from the 1930s until 1955 when he was drowned in the river.

Have no problem tramping alone. Don't mind if people are few and far between, but I am safety conscious, and some tramps it is wiser to travel with someone. I think this would be one. Many thanks for your help.