I thought the crèche was still act 1?
It is, but sloppy game design makes it look - and function - as "something else". As stated above it is the alternative route to Grymforge but, unlike the Underdark, it comes with strings attached. Entering it concludes the Goblins versus Druids drama, is coded as a different area, etc.
So, in some ways it is and in some it isn't Act 1. Messy. Probably a legacy of not being included in EA.
So, one's perception and classification of that map may vary.
But I agree that without the Mountain Pass lvl 7 is not possible. Sightseeing alone, like I said, is worth 1-1,5k points. Kobolds and Magic Cats - c.1k. Quests (egg alone, by talking your way through, is c.500) and killing various sentients or Undead brings up the total to some 6k. Crazy!
I remember in EA (which topped at lvl5) players saying that they had enough points for lvl6. I've never seens any claims of lvl 7.