The upper basin of Murphy Stream provides access to Mt Earle, via the Murphy Glacier, and the northern aspects of East Sentinel. It also offers good transalpine crossings to the Macaulay Valley.
Once in Murphy Stream, about 10 minutes from the Havelock River, climb up scree to about the 1000 metre contour and sidle in scrub for almost 500 metres on an old track on the true left past a waterfall. Cross a spur to meet the first marked creek up the valley and from here the route is cairned. Travel now continues near the stream and is more open. Travel beyond Murphy Bivouac is straightforward. Gain the Murphy Glacier on the true right. Allow an hour and a half to Murphy Bivouac and another three to Murphy Glacier.
Hut
Murphys Bivouac (DOC) : A two-person bivvy with a fireplace, in Murphys Creek.
in association with the Canterbury Mountaineering Club