ScottC: Ranger Biv

With a fine weekend forecast, I took advantage of the good conditions for a longer weekend trip to visit Ranger Biv. Ranger is one of the few remaining original biv's in the Arthur's Pass area and is continued existence and maintenance is due in no small part to the care and attention lavished on it by Frank King and Henora Renwick. See: http://tramping.typepad.com/tramping_report/2005/10/ranger_biv_upda.html

From the Andrew's Shelter a good four and a half hours walk took me to my lunchtime stop at Casey Hut. I opted for the track above the Andrew's Gorge, figuring that walking out through the gorge on the return trip would be a nice way to finish the tramp. Morning tea was at the first flats after the track descends to the river, at one of the many great camping spots along this section of the route. I was passed by two runners whilst on the Hallelujah Flat, they were running in to Casey Hut and they passed me once again on their return leg whilst descending through the final sections of bush to Casey Hut.

Looking back to the Andrew's Bridge from the start of the track.

Red Beech Forest on the early section of the Andrew's Track.

Trail runners on Hallalujah Flat.

After lunch I forded the Casey Stream opposite the hut and carried along the short section of track that soon dropped above the Poulter River terraces. The Fenwick Stream, which is the starting point for the Ranger Biv route was clearly visible from here and I tramped line of sight, fording the many channels of the Poulter, wide and deep in places but slow moving.

Casey Hut from the far side of the Casey Stream.

Poulter River Valley - south to Peveril Peak.

The lightly marked route to Ranger begins at the point the Fenwick Stream enters a small chasm and is marked by cairns and tape. It climbs gradually through the bush, never overly steeply and is occasionally marked when needed. Further up there were some sections through deadfall and regrowth were I briefly lost the track, but it is generally straightforward. The Biv itself is idyllically situated in a small clearing, just below the 1300m mark. A stream runs next to it and below it a long pool is shaded by the bush. I was the third party to visit it in 2011. After visiting the biv, I climbed up to Pt. 1371 and camped on the bush edge just below this minor top.

Part of the Poulter Range from near Pt. 1371

The Range Biv from above.

Ranger Biv.

Range Biv - interior.

Sunday was a long ten and a half hour day , which started with a traverse of the Poulter Range. The climb up to Pt. 1666 was straightforward and I was soon on top of the range. From here the views are spectacular. To the west, the Poulter Valley with Mt Valiant beyond. The dramatic drop to the Cox River to the east, and north to the Poulter Range continuation and Mount Row.

The Poulter Rive Valley. From Left to right:
Brown Hill, Casey Saddle and Stream, Green Hill, Castle Hill,
Poulter River towards the Worsley Pass, Mount Scarface.

Poulter Range (south) from the ascent of Pt 1666

Poulter Range (north) towards Mt Row and Pt. 1754.

The traverse south to Forest Peak was straightforward with just a couple of points that might be considered slightly airy. There was a fair amount of ascent and descent on the ridge traverse though and I took the opportunity for morning tea break on top of Pt. 1740, the highest part of the ridge traverse, before continuing on mixed rock, grass and scree out to Forest Peak.

On the traverse of the Poulter tops.

Pt. 1740, the highest on my range traverse.

Morning Tea on top of Pt. 1740. Poulter river left.

The middle section of the ridge before Forest Peak.

I descended from Forest Peak off an obvious NW spur, which was clearly visible from the flat area SW of the main summit. This was generally a very good descent. The top section had good deer tracks and lower part was mainly through open Red Beech forest. Only in the middle part was any significant spindly regrowth encountered.

Poulter River looking South, from Forest Peak.

Great open bush on the spur off of Forest Peak.

After refording the Poulter River I again stopped for lunch at the Casey Hut, knowing I still had at least a four and a half hour walk ahead of me. However with a nice tail wind and a slightly overcast sky it wasn't very arduous and I soon found myself heading down the Andrew's Gorge in the late afternoon. This was fantastic for my sore feet and a really fun way to finish the trip.