Back Ridge Bivouac

Back ridge Biv (sleeps 2-3, stream water) is a typical North-Island bivouac, with 2 matresses on the floor, and space for 3. For a biv, it is well equiped with pans, etc. There is no fireplace, but outside is a fire circle, with a grate and a windbreak. The hut is on the bushline and an axe is provided.

Back ridge biv is one of the furthest from the road in the Kawekas, and as such receives few visitors and low hunting pressure. Grassy clearings cover the back-ridge tops and are dotted across the east face, whilst dry scrub and scree dominates the west face. North of the biv, the bush is almost exclusively mature beech, whilst south is predominantly manuka.

Tales of woe in the hut book talk of attempts at the 'direct route' from Studholme via the creek - apparently it is not recommended. The track along the ridge from Kiwi Mouth and to Kaweka Peak via Back Ridge Hut is good going, however. A track also drops to Rocks Ahead Hut from the peak above the biv.