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DOC Land
Altitude: 1152m to 1693m. Gain: 773m. Loss: 957m . Gradient: 12 deg (Moderate-hard)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) - Streams (2/6)
From the Scott/Kay Saddle sidle around the head of Kay Creek on tussock slopes and cross through a small scree field to gain the stream coming down from the lake shown on the map north of Peak 1726. Travel up the banks of the stream to reach the lake (actually a cluster of 3 lakes), there's camping dotted around here. Its a simple climb onto the pass beneath 1726. From here, scree stretches across the valley to the base of the pass labeled Pt 1595 where tussock slopes lead to the pass. Crossing the valley, a large alpine wetland is visible at about 1400m which probably has camping.
From Pt 1595 the next valley stretches to Pt 1693 and is simply a larger version of what you've just crossed. Scree of all sizes and variety is required to be traveled over before a tussocky hill climbs to 1693. There is camping on the valley floor where the map shows a band of green at the 1300m contour.
From Pt 1693 the largest scree field of them all stretches for 2 km around the flank of Mt Bonpland. Most of it is loose and unstable to cross, even the larger rocks, so progress is slow. Those making for Sleepy Hollow might find fastest progress is via the stream coming down from the tarn north of Pt 1845 as the ridge between the stream and Pt 1168 is scrubby. For those wanting to descend to the Caples, depart the bottom of the scree field below the 1200m contour and pass around boulders near Pt 1168 to climb onto the ridge coming down from Sleepy Hollow. There's camping near Pt 1168.