CLIMBING HUTS AT MOUNT COOK

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25309, 8 October 1947, Page 6

CLIMBING HUTS AT MOUNT COOK

PROGRAMME OF REPAIRS MATERIAL TO BE DROPPED

FROM AIRCRAFT Within the next few weeks building materials will be dropped from aircraft in the Mount Cook region, when the first part of a programme to restore a group of high climbing huts which have fallen into disrepair will be carried out. The Public Works Department, which is responsible for the work, has obtained the services of two carpenters, who are also experienced mountaineers, and these men will probably spend the whole summer in the area. The Hooker Hut is first on the list On a small flat of snowgrass ill a narrow* valley r. par by, a Dakota aircraft. which will probably be flown by a crew from No. 41 Squadron, RN.Z-A.F., will drop the bundles at timber, wire, bituminous fabric, and miscellaneous equipment that have been prepared for the job. This flight will be made from Harewood; but its date will depend a great deal on the weather. Although the squadron has already had experience over hilly country in the North Island when bundles of willow stakes were dropped on a recent soil conservation project handling a big aircraft in a restricted space among mountains requires good conditions as well as skill. With the materials that will be dropped in a series of flights it » proposed in turn to dismantle each hut, straighten and repair the framing, covering it with a bituminous fabric, and using the existing corrugated iron roofing. The huts will be match lined to complete a snug job. For some time the Government has been hoping to make these repairs, but the securing of materials, and skilled men who can work in mountainous country, has caused delay. , . When the Hooker Hut is finished the work will be continued at the Mueller Hut, which is also fairly accessible to the Hermitage should it be necessary at any time to shelter from bad weather. However, a difficult task will he faced at the Haast Hut which is at a high altitude on * ridge. In the winter this hut » heavily covered with snow. For this reason its roof has to be strengthened with inside struts to prevent a collapse. When the climbing season stanf guides often have to dig their way into the hut Last job on the Programme will be the reconstruction oi the Malte Brun Hut which is n<jW too large for comfort