Wait, isn't the Big Sandy start for the main route, not the Cirque alternate? That alternate usually starts from Bruce's Bridge. The route finding over there is no joke though, glad it worked out for you.

Those plastic fittings are a known weak spot, especially after a few heat cycles. Might be worth swapping them out preemptively if you're in there for something else.

Guess I learned that by watching my own old corroded block fail.