The Pyramid to Sudden Valley via the 5 star scree

From the carpark cross the Hawdon River and follow the main Hawdon Valley track up to the fence across the valley. At this point turn left and cross the grassy flats towards where the obvious spur on the far side of Sudden Valley reaches the valley. There are a few cairns around indicating where to cross the stream and go up. Begin climbing up through the bush - this bit was quite difficult to find any discernible trail for the first 50 or so vertical metres, but once you get up higher and stick to the ridgeline it becomes a much more clear line. You won't be running any of this bit, just a classic Arthur's Pass steep slog to the bushline.

Above the bushline keep following the ridge up to The Pyramid. Don't forget to turn around and enjoy the incredible views opening up below you. Carry on along the ridge to Pt 1565. This has some runnable sections, and some slightly scrambly sections. Just around the 1565 area the right becomes a lot more gnarly - the safest way pass is to drop down slightly to the right/eastern side of the ridge, and there's some well used lines past it. I have included one photo of me (in the red jacket) scoping out this area - you want to drop down earlier than where I am in the photo as it's pretty loose and sketchy

Just after this you reach the top of the BEST scree slope you have ever seen. This is your descent route. Enjoy! Running, jumping, roly polying... The rocks become a bit more solid and slower to navigate towards the bottom, and you will eventually meet a stream. Keep following this down to the valley floor. Along the way, enjoy the incredibly dense patches of large juicy snowberries (if the time of year is right). You will pop out into Sudden Valley about 1km downstream of the biv, so feel free to make a side trip if you want to bag the hut.

Carry on out Sudden Valley, following the track around the Barrier Falls. It's largely unrunnable until you reach the grassy flats at the end, where you have about 3km of running back to your car.