ALPINE HUT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27057, 16 April 1949, Page 8

ALPINE HUT

MOUNT ASPIRING CLIMAX TO YEARS OF ENDEAVOUR To members of the New Zealand Alpine Club, and particularly those in the Otago section, the climax to years of hard work came yesterday, when a substantial stone hut 12 miles up the West Matukituki Valley irom Cameron's Flat, and some 40 miles from Wanaka, was officially opened. The hut is at an altitude of approximately 1400 feet, and is surrounded by high peaks dominated by the rocky 9960foot heights of Mt. Aspiring. The idea of erecting a hut in the area was first advanced in 1939, and it was planned as the first hut on the post-war building programme. The design called for a stone building to accommodate 60 people, with a central lounge facing up the valley, flanked by bunkrooms, and a kitchen and a small bunkroom at the rear. Timber was salvaged from two old properties at Berwick, tpgether with iron, windows and doors, and this formed the nucleus of the tons of material and equipment which had to be transported to the site. This work was done, often at considerable hazard, with a heavy exarmy truck which proved indispensable. A sledge and horse team dragged 159 loads of stone from Cascade Creek.

Since 1946 parties of members have carried on work’ at the site with the assistance of a stonemason. The foundation stone was laid on December 31, 1946, and, in spite of constant difficulties and unfavourable weather, the members have succeeded in their difficult task. Apologies from members as far afield as Switzerland and India were received yesterday at the opening ceremony, at which Messrs J.. T. Cook (chairman of the Otago section) and A. R. Craigie (Huts Committee) officiated. Alpine climbing officials and enthusiasts from all over New Zealand were present, including the founder of the New Zealand Alpine Club, Mr A. P. Harper, of Wellington, and the president and past president, Messrs S A. Wiren and J. A. Sim, over 100 people making the trip up the valley for the opening. The hut was handed over to the New Zealand Alpine Club by Mr Wiren on behalf of the Otago section, and it was declared open by Mr Harper. At a social function in the evening there was a talk by Mr A. Graham on the climbing of Mt. Aspiring, and presentations were made to the Aspinall family, of Mt. Aspiring run, in recognition of their assistance, and to Mr B. S. Gillies (Oamaru), who was responsible for overcoming the transport problems encountered in the building of the hut. .Easter activities of members of the Alpine Club will include the re-erec-tino of the Mt. French bivouac, which had been crushed by snow.