Intunja / Keith Bush Camp

Hi hikers. We are looking to spend a night a Keith Bush camp (maybe climb a little up Grays Pass in the dark to catch the sunrise) but as we only have one night we won't be navigating the pass itself and coming back. What we would like to do is hike to Intunja (climb up to the Eye itself) from there, walk and spend the night at Keith's camp and head back. Does anyone have a GPX file for this route? Is this route 1) doable and easy to navigate from the Eye to Keith and 2) is there likely to be some green on the mountain and fresh water towards end of Oct?

Hi KerryLou,

Welcome on VE!

There is a downloads section on VE, you should be able to find a download for Gray's pass itself, not sure if it would also contain the walk-in section. However, it will be pretty difficut to get lost in this section, unless it rains or there is thick fog (in which case you would probably not want to do Intunja in any case). as the route is on a well worn path.

Should be easy to do over 2 days, even if you are not fit.

From Moncs Cowl, head up to the Sphinx. There might be a bit of water here from a sidestream or two, but unless it had rained or snowed a few days before your hike I wouldn't bargain on finding water on this section. From the Sphinx it's not too far till you get to breakfast stream. This will be the first stream you encounter once the gradient levels off and you are on the lower berg. I've always found water here, so at a minimum take enough water to get to this point. Nice spot for a quick break, a nack or two, washing your face, cooling down etc.

From here it's about 1500m max I'd say to Blind Man's Corner, where the path your'e on connects at a T-junction with the contour path. If you are still in need of water, turn left here, within about 70m or so there is usually a small stream flowing through the Blind Man's corner camping spot. Nice, shady spot on the right of the path. However, if you have enough water then at the T-junction, you would turn right. The contour path now meanders in and out of small valleys all the way NW. You should also (possibly) pass more water from small side gullies along the route. Don't bank on it though, if in doubt, fill up at Breakfast stream. You will eventually start dropping altitude and will clearly see Gatberg directy on the opposite side of the river valley. You will also see a path on it's right hand side, sort of on a ridgeline section if I remeber correctly, going up to the hole. Just cross the riverbed an take the path to the top. It's steep. There are rock bands toward the upper sections, but you should clearly see them on your approach. Take a pic or two before you drop down to the river. If I remember correctly it's more rocky towards the escarpment side, but don't quote e on this - you will clearly see it on your approach on the contour path.

Once done, just go down this same track and connect with the path taking you to KBC. For the next day, just reverse your steps, excluding the Gatberg ascent part.

It's a nice walk, and for a bit of variaty you could take Kearlands pass down, rather than going pass the Sphinx again. Once you turn off the contour path at BMC, on your way back towards Breakfast stream, very soon you will see a path veering off towards the left, which is the one you want to take. The descent is a bit more gradual than the way you come up, and the final section is relatively flat. There is a right turn somewhere on this route, can't remember exactly where it is though, haven't done it in a while. I seem to remember it was just after a Private property sign, you go down a rather steep rocky section and where it flattens out you turn right, but do consult your maps which should indicate the correct route. The camp is, from this point, basically to your right, sort of NE direction.

Have fun and enjoy your trip! Oh, just one more thing - don't leave stuff lying outside your tent at night. This route does carry a bit of traffic and my wife had her one trekking pole (the only thing I left outside the tent) stolen here last year. Aslo had a genet visit our camp, which was a first for us in the berg.

Thank you SO much for all those info! 
last question- how hectic is the hike up to the Eye? Some articles I've read have said brand safe paths to the Eye of the Needle, others have said extremely narrow and exposed?
Is it an intense exposed walk?