Frew Saddle Bivouac / Frew's Biv

The Frew Saddle Bivouac (sleeps 2, matresses, stream water 100m distant, no fire) is a well maintained alpine bivouac 200m west of the Frew Saddle between the upper Hokitika and Whitcombe valleys. It's well above the treeline in rock & tussock (& speargrass) country. Resident kea provide entertainment.

The marked tracks from Poet Hut via homeward ridge, and Bluff Hut both peter out 3km below the Frew Saddle, and it's a riverbed walk from there. Plentiful speargrass adds to the fun. Poles start again on the Hokitika valley floor directly below the saddle and lead to the pass and hut.

The cut track to the saddle from the Whitcombe side is well maintained but hard going: it spends a long time sidling steep, slippery faces, climbing over tree roots, and finally as a riverbed route for the last 2.5km to the hut/pass. Allow at least twice the time you'd expect.

Hut book entries speak of possibilities for exploring the ridgeline south of the biv.