[Tony Gazley]

For a guide to the track to Powell Hut and beyond to Mt Holdsworth go to:

• This reply was modified 2 months, 2 weeks ago by Tony Gazley.

[Tony Gazley]

When doors are stuck shut
Sarah does not wait about-
kick kick kick kick kick

[Tony Gazley]

Good morning Lance

Thank you very much for your haiku entry into the 2023 Tramping Calendar Haiku and Limerick Competition.
We have been delighted with the high standard of the many entries we have received so far, and yours is no exception.

However, we do remind you that copies of the 2023 Tramping NZ Calendar are readily available from Bivouac Outdoor in Mercer Street for $20 cash. You may wish to purchase your copies now to avoid disappointment when you fail to win first or second prize in the competition.

Thanks again

Tony

[Tony Gazley]

[Tony Gazley]

There’s something in her hair that’s quite wrong
It looks more like that of King Kong
When asked why it was so
She said I don’t know
But I think I’ve been in the bush for too long

[Tony Gazley]

Well that’s good news. And it certainly does sound like the same track renegotiated. I will check it out and if so we can reinstate the description on the website later today.

[Tony Gazley]

The quickest way to find out would be to rush down to Bivouac Outdoor in Mercer street with $20 and buy a copy of the calendar. The location is given in the photo caption : ))

[Tony Gazley]

Powell Hut update 2 May 2019.

Building work almost complete. The 3 latest photos show:
1. General east outside view. Scaffolding for plumber to fix roof gutter.
2. Kitchen and social area painted and ready for cooking benches.
3. The south 12-bunk bunkroom with the cool sloping ladders to the upper level.

The builder expects to be off-site in next few weeks but the hut cannot open until it receives final sign-off from the Building Consent Authority. And before this happens a fire alarm system (with its solar power) needs to be installed and a decision made on grey-water disposal. So DOC are saying prob end June opening.

A couple of unusual features of the building. Having a fire alarm system will be interesting. It certainly will increase occupant safety but may cause unintended problems. And it is a significant extra cost to DOC who must fly a technician to the hut every 6 months to maintain the alarm in compliance with the Building Code.
Additionally there is a passive ventilation system installed – principally to remove internal condensation from breathing and cooking. This makes sense especially for building maintenance purposes given moisture causes problems with the building structure in the long term. But because it cannot be adjusted it may make for a cold hut in winter even though the hut is fully insulated.

But regardless it will be a wonderful front-country facility – hopefully it will be well appreciated and visitors will pay their fees to offset the $750,000 price tag.

And again as usual a big thanks to the guys from McIntyre Contractors for assistance with the photos and the info.

[Tony Gazley]

Harry’s story with his route description has been updated in the WTMC newsletter with some photos and a short video.

[Tony Gazley]

Powell Hut update at 23 March 2019.
Another misty day but pleasantly calm.
Six photos show: interior of hut looking in the north door; windows in the east (front) bunkrooms; windows in the east kitchen/ social area; south side; west (rear) side; and the north side.
All the windows have been installed but some flashings still to be fixed in place.These will essentially complete the outside of the building except for some additional sub-floor bracing.
The front bunkrooms will have a great view of the sunrise and will likely be the first-choice rooms.
All the interior wall and ceiling insulation is installed. The woodburner from the old hut will be removed and replaced by a new one of the same model.
So starting to look like a real hut now – but still plenty of fit-out work required inside before it is finished. The front deck still seems HUUGE.

[thanks to McIntyre Construction for assistance with photos]

[Tony Gazley]

Powell Hut update at 19 March 2019.
Misty day – builders too busy to take photos or talk.
Some more windows fitted (at rear and north end of building). Apparently the window fixing and flashing details for the severe weather exposure are very awkward and require special skills and are slow going.
Photo shows very clearly (?) the difference in outside appearance from previous visit. No info on how much work done inside. But apparently end April completion date unlikely to be met.
Further updates to come.

[Tony Gazley]

Powell Hut update at 18 February 2019.

Roof cladding fixed – but no final external cladding to walls yet. There will be a large mostly roofed balcony running the full length of the east side. Refer photos for general view and north and south ends of hut.

Next visit will try and get one of the builders to take a few photos of the inside.

Further updates to come – stay tuned.

[Tony Gazley]

Powell Hut update at 7 February 2019. Wall and roof framing in place. RAB board (rigid air-barrier) mostly fixed to exterior of walls. Refer photo.

Currently there are 6 builders on site – working for 10 days (living in a dog-box sized shed) then 4 days off.

Note that access to the site is prohibited (as it should be for a construction site) so I gave my camera to a builder from McIntyre Construction who kindly took the photo from the heli-pad.

Further updates to come.

[Tony Gazley]

Powell Hut update at 30 January 2019. Demolition complete, site leveled and some new piles in place refer photo.
Further updates to come.

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