That was the skills workshop she put on with M, I think she got the funding through a grant. I was there cutting slabs with One of the older rangers H for Old Currango +1 was at the Vic workshop as well, plus the ones in Hume, act. I agree all the huts should be built on the metal sub structures as seen in Brooks photos above. I think it protects as much from rot as anything. Broken dam’s issue is it was built too quickly and the timber didn’t get a chance to season so as it has dried cracks have opened. A few spots (floor) weren’t cut great I.e not square and the finishes on the windows in spaces is also short cut (trim would have fixed this). The fire is fine, actually really good but the door is hung the wrong way so every time you open it, cold air rushes in and pushes the heat from the fire to the back of the hut which is cold.
I'd be keen as mustard to get involved with a rebuild! Four Mile particulary! I'm watching my inbox for messages from KHA
Boobee had Forest right up to the back of hut and generous tree outcrops close by.....it was a tricky hut to find first time.....but...a very good place to relax after a long ski.....well protected by Far Bald Mt above it and forest to the west and east.Hooefully some of its wombat population survived the inferno in there burrows!
I reckon four mile will be the most subscribed to rebuilt and also the hardest. How you replicate collective of materials is beyond me, it will take a very special eye.
I agree, I kind of hope they have collected all the iron and bits from the burnt huts and work out how they can use this to replicate the eclectic fabric of the old hut.
Lime makes Mortar harder and helps it withstand more heat. We put more lime in when constructing brick fireplaces and flues.
My dad did quite a number of brick fireplaces/ fireplace alterations at Hotham and Falls. Common problem was some existing ones didnt have a nice curved smoke shelf-essential to stop downdraft ( smokey chimney)
I also understand that their is some science to the roof height, chimney height and opening as @Newsteve said, this also effects the drawing of the chimney.
In another thread it was posted that the Nordic shelter at dry dam near cabramurra was burnt. I've not seen that reported elsewhere. Can it be added to the list in the opening post.
Dry, clean, insulated, customisable with double glazed windows, additional insulation, 0000 rated products for fire resistance, vermin proof, air liftable out of harms way when required or for big maintenance. You could have it any colour your want out of the colorbond range. What more do you want for a remote refuge?
Here is the list Bushfires Reconstructions (Updated: 1 Sep 2020) The NPWS and ACT PCS have confirmed that 17 huts and buildings have been lost in the 2020 bushfires in the Kosciuszko National Park (KNP), including the Kiandra precinct, and the Namadgi National Park (NNP). The following are structure that KHA caretakers assist the NPWS and ACT PCS with ongoing maintenance. Burnt 11 structures have been lost to the bushfires: KNP: Linesmans No3 (1950) - Fifteen Mile Spur Linesmans No3 (1980) - Fifteen Mile Spur Vickerys Hut Delaneys Hut Happys Hut Brooks Hut (still standing but badly burnt) Bradley and O’Briens Hut Four Mile Hut Round Mountain Hut (returned to KHA Aug 2020) NNP: Max & Bert Hut Demandering Hut Damaged 2 structures have survived the fires but have sustained damage: KNP: Tantangara Mountain Hut (Harveys) Jounama Homestead (ruin) Caretakers
That list is mostly correct. Brooks is a ruin. The only thing left is the chimney and some of the sub structure. All metal has been removed by NPWS. Definitely not still standing.
@Kletterer we need to become the caretakers for round mtn, I didn’t realise Adelong men shed had handed it back. I know they (Adelong men shed) are doing a lot of work with the sugar pines and probably their own homes plus blaze aid at present. I might chat to NPBS about it.
yes but as caretakers we get to control beer the guidance of parks, the rebuild. Well parks will control. It is one hut I’d like rebuilt properly right down to the little details like the box in the toilet. Actually placement of the new toilet would be important as well. And hey what better excuse for some back country ski.com get together would there be but maintenance. I have actually sent local ranger an email to find out what we need to do.
yes but as caretakers we get to control beer the guidance of parks, the rebuild. Well parks will control. It is one hut I’d like rebuilt properly right down to the little details like the box in the toilet. Actually placement of the new toilet would be important as well. And hey what better excuse for some back country ski.com get together would there be but maintenance. I have actually sent local ranger an email to find out what we need to do.
The shrubs look a bit sad!Proximity to a main road should make rebuild simpler though.What kind of rebuild is planned.Replica or modern fire resistant new design?
I wouldn’t call them shrubs. They are nice fellas just a bit annoyed by the flies and heat. ohh you mean the trees...
Yes ...trees look a bit the worse for wear!So....do we go with an historic rebuild or a change of design?
I know. Just teasing. Like for like is not sustainable. We can’t keep rebuilding these things from the ground up. The best way forward is a hybrid approach. Metal frames as well as concrete and metal substructures. The facades should be replicated as much as possible. I want Four Mile to look like Four Mile but cost half as much to rebuild when the next fires comes through. While I am on the KHA committee that doesn’t mean that I speak for KHA on matters likes this. The above is my opinion. I think we need to be as historically accurate as possible while being realistic about the long term lives of these huts. If we keep building them like we have been then we are at risk of never having them rebuilt when they are burnt again. And just to clarify, for anyone that was wondering, the picture above is Brooks Hut. It’s well away from public roads and at the bottom of Arsenic Ridge. The blokes in that pic are Klaus Huenke, Robert Green and Greg Hutchison. Those guys and myself have been working on getting the old track down Arsenic Ridge recorded and marked for a hopeful realignment of the AAWT. Fingers crossed.
Sorry bloody auto correct and dodgy internet on desert island. i support @zapruda stance, but would add I want the huts built well! I don’t want a repeat of Broken Dam (sorry to anyone who worked on this), it was rushed and the quality of work poor which resulted in a poor outcome.
I was a member for more than ages, then there was a severe stuff up with their website and I couldn’t log on and got no response. Couldn’t renew my membership, so frustrating. Walked away. Seemed amateur club like fail.
That’s not good at all. Especially as we NEED members. Seems like the website side of things hasn’t changed much as per @Kletterer recent experience. Something to raise at the next meeting I think.
Ok use tin on the outside and roof but dont use ugly bugle screws where visible . They look out of place. The steps on the bunks at Tin Hut are rather ugly Most huts can be well done like for like from the floor up . Its the base underneath the floor where you really need to get things right.
Metal sub structures are pretty easy, not sure they save much in terms of rebuilds as I’m pretty sure Brookes was built on a metal structure and there isn’t a lot left of it..... I know they added a window to Okeefes which I’m okay with but I’m still 50/50 on the move of Okeefes. If there is still too much of the original then sure leave it and get someone in to do a proper site restoration / reorientation (similar to Franklin). But don’t move huts because of idiots..... My high school missed Okeefes on a D of E hike in the rain, to me this is poor navigation an no issue of the hut.