Pfeifer Biv
(Pfeifer Biv looking over to Mt. Alexander: Photo Andrew Buglass 2008: Double click to get larger image)
Maintenance Status
The current Pfeifer Biv was built in January 2008
to replace an old delapidated B55 design (corrugatede iron roof with a louvre window - no sleeping platforms)
built by the NZFS in 1962.
The new structure will be fully maintained. The access track to the Pfeifer tops
hasn't been officially maintained in past years, but has been kept open by volunteers.
Location
Taramakau catchment. Map BV20. Grid Ref: E1490868/
N5260180. Altitude 1295m. Pfeifer Biv is located in a tussock basin on the Aicken
Range directly above Lake Kaurapataka. The small creek adjacent to the Biv
drops over the lip of the basin down a vertical face into Pfeifer Creek. Pfeifer Biv is
an overnight tramp of moderate difficulty and is usually accessed from
the lower Deception valley and SH 73.
The Aitken Range tops are relatively easy travel and dotted with tarns and plenty of good
campsites. There are
great views from the Biv over the Taramakau
to Mt. Alexander and the Kaimata Range.
Access
Cross the Otira River at the Deception River footbridge
and head
up the TR of the Deception for around one kilometre. Leave the Deception track
and head East through a patch of
regenerating bush and across farmland to Paratu Stream. Follow this up taking
the TR branch where it forks at the 560m contour. The fork is marked with permolat
arrows and a cairn. The Stream narrows to a
trickle in its head and becomes a dry gut just below Waharoa Saddle. There is a track through the alpine scrub
from the Saddle
onto the Aitken Range. This was recut by Frank King and
Honora Renwick in 2007. From a tussock bench and
tarn at 1364m continue up the leading spur onto a rocky knoll at 1460m. Drop East from here
into the large tussock basin below. Head
along and up the fault scarp
at the basin's lip, around into the next basin where the Biv is located.
Fine weather and good visibility are required for the tops sections of
this route.
Allow 4-6 hours for the journey
from the Highway to the Biv.
Type
The original Pfeifer Biv was built in the 1960's. It
wasn't maintained after DOC inherited it from NZFS in the 1980's and became increasingly delapidated.
The new Biv is lined, double-glazed, has two sleeping platforms with mattresses, and
a cooking bench. A large and ostentatious toilet, half as big as the Biv itself, stands
next to it. Water is from the creek in the basin and there are a couple of reasonable sized
tarns to boot. There are goats in the vicinity of the Biv and along the Range.
Condition
The new Biv is very well constructed and secured with tie downs. It has a spartan interior
that would benefit from the addition of few home comforts. Mountain gnomes have already added
coat hangers. Some book shelves and a clothes line would further reduce the biv's institutional
look.
Routes
The lower Aicken Range tops are easily traversable
and there are good day walks possible from the Biv. Mt. Pfeifer
is an easy rock scramble and has great views. The tops look
pretty good all the way around the Whaiti Stream catchment.
There is a
route down into Pfeifer Creek from the first basin East
of the Biv. Sidle from the Biv, gaining a bit of altitude
in order to stay above the bluffs and scrub.
Drop down to and follow a small scarp running NE along the lip of the next basin,
through patchy scrub onto a bench. Two cairns at the top of the steep scree here mark the start of the descent.
A second scee connects with this on the TL down a bit, and there is a permolat marker here
for those coming uphill.
Continue down the scree to a small creek and follow it down another 40m to Pfeifer
Creek. There is a red permolat marker on a tree in Pfeifer Creek just below the side creek.
Boulderhop from here down to the Lake Kaurapataka
track.
It is possible
to drop down the NE spur of Mt. Pfeifer to the low saddle between
Lake Kaurapataka and the Otehake River. This route involves a fairly long
scrub and bush bash which is rough going in places.
There is a fine weather route of moderate difficulty into the Lower Deception via the Aicken Range,
and Tutu Creek that makes for an interesting round trip.
Access into Tutu Creek
is down a large scree
immediately South of point 1591m. The scree is vertical and unstable at its very top,
but can be access via a steep tussock rib on its TL. Sidle off the rib onto the scree around
the 1500m mark. The scree is narrow and steep intially with loose rock,
but becomes more stable lower down, and can be followed all the way down to the
Deception.
Boulderhop from here to the to the Highway.
Allow 3-4 hours to reach the Deception carpark from the Biv.
Repairs needed
None currently.
Provisions on site
One aluminium basin and a hearth brush.
