Kylie Bivouac
Kylie Bivouac (sleeps 2-3, tank water) may one day save someone's life on the exposed tops of the Ruahine Ranges - but I suspect that will be the only time anyone will truly enjoy staying there.
A waist-high biv with two matresses on the floor, it sleeps three at a push. There is a door with nine 6mm ventilation holes drilled in it, but apart from that no window or other ventilation provided. In a nor-westerly it may receive some shelter from the main ridge above, but in the southerly blowing when I visited, it boure the full brunt of the wind, meaning that leaving the door open was not an option.
Kylie biv is located about 600m from the main ridge between Tupari and Totora Spur. When approaching from the South/West, the hut is on the second spur running SW after passing Tupari Peak. The hut is only visible from the brow of the ridge. A signpost on the ridge indicates the route, but on the broad unpoled tops is easy to miss in bad weather.
Access
Makaroro Roadend / Wakarara Road (278960,615920): 15/18km via Colenso Spur / Sparrowhawk biv
Sparrowhawk Biv: 10km (3-6 hours) unmarked route
Barlow Hut: 9.5km (time unknown) track / unmarked route tops
Upper Makaroro Hut: 5km (1.5-3 hours) unmarked route over tops
Aranga Hut: 11.5km (4-8 hours) partially poled route over tops
Top Maropea Hut-9 hours
| Category | Standard Hut |
|---|---|
| Owner | DOC |
| Bookings | Not available |
| Sleeps | 3 |
| Facilities | Tank/tap water supply |
| Altitude | 1,330m |
| Maps | |
| Link | www.doc.govt.nz/p...http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/backcountry-huts-by-region/hawkes-bay/kylie-bivvy/ |