Builder: Bob Janssen
The final part of our efforts in the Mt Fell Hut restoration was to have a woodshed built.
After working out a plan, pre-cutting and bundling up all of the required materials, we then dropped these off for the helicopter to collect and fly in. After a wait for this drop-off to occur, and a ‘walk-in’, ‘walk-out’ working bee cancellation because of storm damage to the road access in the area, the trip was postponed.
On the fine, frosty morning of May 26th, Ian Morris, Patrick Holland, Barry James and Bob Janssen travelled by car from Nelson to the beginning of Timms Creek track, inland from Blenheim, arriving about 9am.
As the temperature was cold, we kept moving, with very few stops. Arriving at the top of the bush-line, we walked through snow until we reached the hut, arriving about 4pm.
That night, we shared the hut with a young Estonian couple who were enjoying the hut and the stunning surroundings. The next morning our team got to work on the woodshed construction. Progress was steady and productive as we managed to finish the job by 3pm.
Then it was to time to tidy-up and put the woodshed to its intended use. We stocked it full of wood. Pat and Barry found time to head up onto the ridge-line. Barry made it to the very top of Mount Fell. After a cold night, we had breakfast, then packed up and headed to the car and drove home to Nelson, arriving at 4.30pm.
It was a successful trip all round.