Ok thanks Nick - great info! Of course I will email STF about a suitable route. And maybe about the cost of food too at the huts My topo maps aren't arriving until late June so I can't really investigate myself at the mo. Google maps is not being very helpful - I can't find the names of many of the places you're mentioning - but I know I will once I get my map. I think I'm comfortable route finding - well I'm open to testing myself at it anyway - much more so than the *&%$#! river crossings!
Man I can't wait, this is gonn be awesome!