Crystal Biv
Crystal rebuild 2019
Location
Toaroha valley. Map BV19. Grid Ref: E1449410/ N5237943 (BV19 494 379). Altitude 1070m. Crystal Biv is located on the spur that divides the Pretty and Crystal Creek catchments in the Toaroha valley. It is a beautiful spot with a large, picturesque tarn and great views over to the Diedrich Range. The Biv can be accessed from the Toaroha roadend in a day by a fit party, either via a track that branches off the main-valley track, or over the tops from Yeats Ridge Hut. The latter is the slightly quicker of the two when conditions are good. Crystal was historically low-use and prior to 2004 Crystal was only getting one visit every 2-3 years. After a rebuild by volunteers in 2019 traffic increased significantly, then again after covid restrictions were dropped. In 2021 a record 20 visits were logged.
Maintenance Status
When Crystal Biv was designated as minimal maintenance by the Department of Conservation in 2004 it was starting to have major structural issues at the back end due to leakage around the window. The then newly formed Permolat Group took an active interest in it around this time. The old New Zealand Forest Service track up to the Biv from the valley hadn't been maintained for over 30 years limiting access to tops traverses, mostly from Yeats Ridge. In 2009 Permolat members recut the track and started doing some intermittent minor repairs. I did some framing and floor repairs to the back end in 2014, but they weren't enough to stop water getting in. In February 2019 Rob Brown arranged a major overhaul using Back Country Trust funding and as a result the Biv is now in excellent condition and should remain that way for many years to come.
Access
The track up to Crystal Biv was recut and marked again in February 2019 and should still be OK. Liz Wightwick of Christchurch has recently adopted it and plans to do some work on it in September. The track turns off the Toaroha valley track at the top of a steep section just upriver from Pretty Creek. From Cedar Flat Hut to the turnoff takes around 2.5-3 hours and it's a steep 1-1.5 hours climb from here to the scrubline. A short diagonal climb follows marked by warratahs and snow stakes to the bench where the Biv is located. A fit party should be able to reach Crystal in 8-9 hours from the Toaroha roadend.
The tops route to Crystal Biv via Yeats Ridge Hut is probably a bit shorter than the valley route if conditions are good and is more rewarding scenery-wise. Cross the shallow basin below Yeats Hut and follow some wooden snow stakes up onto a narrow scrubby ridge bordering Zit Creek. This is followed to where the spur broadens, and a marked trail leading up through a band of alpine scrub. At the 1200m mark you hit more open country and warratahs lead from here up onto to a flat bench with tarns around 1300m. The descent to Crystal down SW fork of the main spur is easy travel. The Biv is visible in fine weather from around 1200m. A band of scattered scrub at the bottom of the descent is negotiated north of the tarns. Allow 1.5 hours to get from Yeats Hut to Crystal Biv, or 8-9 hours from the Toaroha roadend. Snow during the colder months may significantly increase travel times on the tops sections.
Type
Crystal is a NZFS B55 two-person design built in 1960 according to Bill Johnson who helped build it. It had two sleeping platforms which have since been removed. The 2019 modifications include the replacement of the single louvre window at the end with a single pane double glazed one and the addition of an interior ply lining. The Biv has two mattresses and water is from some small tarns close by. There is no toilet. There is limited cell phone reception from near the Biv.
Condition
The 2019 work could be better described as a rebuild in which replacement of the roof, all the rotten framing, and the iron wall cladding took place. The crew comprised Rob Brown, Ted Brennan, Kennedy Warne, Joke de Rijke and me. Mike Lagan did some finishing-off work later that year with a mate, replacing the piles, sanding and laminating the floor, installing a small cooking bench, adding more framing to the end walls, and securing the ply with 4x 75mm bugles. This would make it quite difficult to remove should anyone be so inclined and because it is fixed to the frame the ply gives the structure added strength. The improved flashing systems should keep things watertight for many years to come.
Routes
Access to Top Kokatahi Hut via the Toaroha range is up the spur directly behind the Biv. A steep section at around 1400m can be sidled around on the Zit Creek side. Once on the crest of the Range, head North from point 1694m to a point around E1451479/ N5239437 (BV19 515 394) and drop down the tussock faces into the upper Kokatahi. Follow the riverbed down to the Hut. An ice axe may be necessary on some of the steeper bits on the Kokatahi faces during the colder months. Allow four hours for the crossing.
Adventure Biv can be accessed by continuing along the Toaroha Range. There is a narrow section of ridge just before Zit Saddle that needs to be sidled on the Kokatahi side. The slopes are steep here and care is required in wet or icy conditions. Recently, and with the increased popularity of this traverse, a few parties have found this bit too exposed for comfort. It shouldn't be a problem for those confident with heights but take a rope if you are unsure. Continue past Zit Saddle to where the poled route from Top Kokatahi Hut crosses over. The route is incorrectly drawn on NZ topomaps, crosses over higher than marked, and drops into Toaroha down the spur due north of the one indicated (see the Adventure Biv page). The poles take you down a steep tussock face onto a narrow rib on the Toaroha side. The rib is followed to where it flattens and widens and a short, tracked section leads down through a band of alpine scrub into the upper TR branch of Zit Creek. Cross and climb up onto the Creek's TR terrace and follow the poles and markers downhill a short distance. The trail then veers North across scattered scrub and open tussock to connect with Adventure Ridge. A short section of track leads down the ridge through the alpine scrub to the Biv. Don't try dropping into the Toaroha directly from Zit Saddle unless you have a rope and a spare day up your sleeve. Allow 5-6 hours for the trip from Crystal to Adventure.
Mungo Hut can be accessed by heading South along the Toaroha Range. There are no tarns on this section so carry some water. A vertical bit on the Range just South of Mt Chamberlain can be sidled around on Park Stream side. Access into Park Stream is from the low point between Mt Chamberlain and Bannatyne down a steep gut. The gut is actively eroding, is snow-filled for most of the year, and can be icy near the top. An ice axe and crampons should be carried during the colder months for this bit. Once in the Park it is easy travel down the riverbed to the start of an old NZFS track on the TL. It enters the bush where the Stream veers SW and climbs steeply up to Mungo Hut. The track is not marked on the current topo map but was recut by volunteers in 2012. Allow 5-6 hours from Crystal Biv to Mungo Hut.
It is also possible to access Top Toaroha Hut over the tops from Crystal Biv. Head up the spur behind the Biv to just above the 1100m contour, then drop down the first steep open tussock gut into Crystal Creek basin. Follow the Creel down to around 960m then sidle out due South through open tussock patches towards the ridge bounding the TL of the basin. Head up onto the ridge via the side spur with the more obvious open tussock patches. There are a few unavoidable bands of alpine scrub to bash through on this section. Once on the main ridge follow it down past where it veers South. The Hut is visible directly below from 1100m. At around the 1050m contour a steep open, freshly blown-out gut can be picked up and followed all the way down to Bannatyne Flat. Allow 2-2.5 hours to get from Crystal Biv to Top Toaroha Hut in good conditions.
Repairs needed.
Nil currently
Provisions on site
Some replacement piles, a plastic bucket, a plastic basin, an aluminium wash basin, a camp oven, a small pot, a shovel, a small quantity of permolat and nails and some rat poison, a sleeping mat and a fold-out chair. There is a roll of No.8 wire, some chicken wire, and some odd bits of timber underneath the Biv.
Toaroha valley. Map BV19. Grid Ref: E1449410/ N5237943 (BV19 494 379). Altitude 1070m. Crystal Biv is located on the spur that divides the Pretty and Crystal Creek catchments in the Toaroha valley. It is a beautiful spot with a large, picturesque tarn and great views over to the Diedrich Range. The Biv can be accessed from the Toaroha roadend in a day by a fit party, either via a track that branches off the main-valley track, or over the tops from Yeats Ridge Hut. The latter is the slightly quicker of the two when conditions are good. Crystal was historically low-use and prior to 2004 Crystal was only getting one visit every 2-3 years. After a rebuild by volunteers in 2019 traffic increased significantly, then again after covid restrictions were dropped. In 2021 a record 20 visits were logged.
Maintenance Status
When Crystal Biv was designated as minimal maintenance by the Department of Conservation in 2004 it was starting to have major structural issues at the back end due to leakage around the window. The then newly formed Permolat Group took an active interest in it around this time. The old New Zealand Forest Service track up to the Biv from the valley hadn't been maintained for over 30 years limiting access to tops traverses, mostly from Yeats Ridge. In 2009 Permolat members recut the track and started doing some intermittent minor repairs. I did some framing and floor repairs to the back end in 2014, but they weren't enough to stop water getting in. In February 2019 Rob Brown arranged a major overhaul using Back Country Trust funding and as a result the Biv is now in excellent condition and should remain that way for many years to come.
Access
The track up to Crystal Biv was recut and marked again in February 2019 and should still be OK. Liz Wightwick of Christchurch has recently adopted it and plans to do some work on it in September. The track turns off the Toaroha valley track at the top of a steep section just upriver from Pretty Creek. From Cedar Flat Hut to the turnoff takes around 2.5-3 hours and it's a steep 1-1.5 hours climb from here to the scrubline. A short diagonal climb follows marked by warratahs and snow stakes to the bench where the Biv is located. A fit party should be able to reach Crystal in 8-9 hours from the Toaroha roadend.
The tops route to Crystal Biv via Yeats Ridge Hut is probably a bit shorter than the valley route if conditions are good and is more rewarding scenery-wise. Cross the shallow basin below Yeats Hut and follow some wooden snow stakes up onto a narrow scrubby ridge bordering Zit Creek. This is followed to where the spur broadens, and a marked trail leading up through a band of alpine scrub. At the 1200m mark you hit more open country and warratahs lead from here up onto to a flat bench with tarns around 1300m. The descent to Crystal down SW fork of the main spur is easy travel. The Biv is visible in fine weather from around 1200m. A band of scattered scrub at the bottom of the descent is negotiated north of the tarns. Allow 1.5 hours to get from Yeats Hut to Crystal Biv, or 8-9 hours from the Toaroha roadend. Snow during the colder months may significantly increase travel times on the tops sections.
Type
Crystal is a NZFS B55 two-person design built in 1960 according to Bill Johnson who helped build it. It had two sleeping platforms which have since been removed. The 2019 modifications include the replacement of the single louvre window at the end with a single pane double glazed one and the addition of an interior ply lining. The Biv has two mattresses and water is from some small tarns close by. There is no toilet. There is limited cell phone reception from near the Biv.
Condition
The 2019 work could be better described as a rebuild in which replacement of the roof, all the rotten framing, and the iron wall cladding took place. The crew comprised Rob Brown, Ted Brennan, Kennedy Warne, Joke de Rijke and me. Mike Lagan did some finishing-off work later that year with a mate, replacing the piles, sanding and laminating the floor, installing a small cooking bench, adding more framing to the end walls, and securing the ply with 4x 75mm bugles. This would make it quite difficult to remove should anyone be so inclined and because it is fixed to the frame the ply gives the structure added strength. The improved flashing systems should keep things watertight for many years to come.
Routes
Access to Top Kokatahi Hut via the Toaroha range is up the spur directly behind the Biv. A steep section at around 1400m can be sidled around on the Zit Creek side. Once on the crest of the Range, head North from point 1694m to a point around E1451479/ N5239437 (BV19 515 394) and drop down the tussock faces into the upper Kokatahi. Follow the riverbed down to the Hut. An ice axe may be necessary on some of the steeper bits on the Kokatahi faces during the colder months. Allow four hours for the crossing.
Adventure Biv can be accessed by continuing along the Toaroha Range. There is a narrow section of ridge just before Zit Saddle that needs to be sidled on the Kokatahi side. The slopes are steep here and care is required in wet or icy conditions. Recently, and with the increased popularity of this traverse, a few parties have found this bit too exposed for comfort. It shouldn't be a problem for those confident with heights but take a rope if you are unsure. Continue past Zit Saddle to where the poled route from Top Kokatahi Hut crosses over. The route is incorrectly drawn on NZ topomaps, crosses over higher than marked, and drops into Toaroha down the spur due north of the one indicated (see the Adventure Biv page). The poles take you down a steep tussock face onto a narrow rib on the Toaroha side. The rib is followed to where it flattens and widens and a short, tracked section leads down through a band of alpine scrub into the upper TR branch of Zit Creek. Cross and climb up onto the Creek's TR terrace and follow the poles and markers downhill a short distance. The trail then veers North across scattered scrub and open tussock to connect with Adventure Ridge. A short section of track leads down the ridge through the alpine scrub to the Biv. Don't try dropping into the Toaroha directly from Zit Saddle unless you have a rope and a spare day up your sleeve. Allow 5-6 hours for the trip from Crystal to Adventure.
Mungo Hut can be accessed by heading South along the Toaroha Range. There are no tarns on this section so carry some water. A vertical bit on the Range just South of Mt Chamberlain can be sidled around on Park Stream side. Access into Park Stream is from the low point between Mt Chamberlain and Bannatyne down a steep gut. The gut is actively eroding, is snow-filled for most of the year, and can be icy near the top. An ice axe and crampons should be carried during the colder months for this bit. Once in the Park it is easy travel down the riverbed to the start of an old NZFS track on the TL. It enters the bush where the Stream veers SW and climbs steeply up to Mungo Hut. The track is not marked on the current topo map but was recut by volunteers in 2012. Allow 5-6 hours from Crystal Biv to Mungo Hut.
It is also possible to access Top Toaroha Hut over the tops from Crystal Biv. Head up the spur behind the Biv to just above the 1100m contour, then drop down the first steep open tussock gut into Crystal Creek basin. Follow the Creel down to around 960m then sidle out due South through open tussock patches towards the ridge bounding the TL of the basin. Head up onto the ridge via the side spur with the more obvious open tussock patches. There are a few unavoidable bands of alpine scrub to bash through on this section. Once on the main ridge follow it down past where it veers South. The Hut is visible directly below from 1100m. At around the 1050m contour a steep open, freshly blown-out gut can be picked up and followed all the way down to Bannatyne Flat. Allow 2-2.5 hours to get from Crystal Biv to Top Toaroha Hut in good conditions.
Repairs needed.
Nil currently
Provisions on site
Some replacement piles, a plastic bucket, a plastic basin, an aluminium wash basin, a camp oven, a small pot, a shovel, a small quantity of permolat and nails and some rat poison, a sleeping mat and a fold-out chair. There is a roll of No.8 wire, some chicken wire, and some odd bits of timber underneath the Biv.
