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Almer Hut was built in 1953 from materials dropped into site by fixed wing aircraft. It was the third hut on this site and replaced an earlier 1930s hut that was located on the next terrace down from the current site. The first shelter at Almer was not much more than a small A-frame biv that looked more like a tin and timber tent tucked into a rock slope. Almer Hut IIIIt has been preserved for many years as an historic hut and today still retains its original 12 bunks in two rooms layout from when it was built and is one of the only remaining huts from this 1950s era of alpine huts.  Frank putting the finishing touches onto Almer Hut In the early 1990s the hut was in bad repair, with one of the rooms often filling with snow during winter. A conservation plan was prepared by Chris Cochran and some minor repairs were undertaken, followed by a major project lifting the hut onto a solid steel foundation in the early 2000s. Late in 2023 part of the roof over the foyer was blown off and hastily repaired by DOC Franz. This prompted Wayne Costello, DOC Franz Operations Manager, to start a conversation with the Backcountry Trust about how to undertake a proper renovation to protect the hut into the future. At a meeting in early 2024 involving DOC engineers Jono Calder and Jason Davidson, and DOC historic advisor for the coast Tom Barker, DOC Senior Ranger Ian Singleton, along with Max Stenhouse-Burgess and Rob Brown from the Backcountry Trust, a work plan was agreed on the work needing to be done.to that would strengthen and preserve the hut for the future.  Almer Hut before renovation in later 2023 In late February 2024 work started., Max and Rob were joined by Hokitika carpenter Aaron Gillespie and DOC Rangers Mike Charles and Brendon Shaw. Over three days tThree sides of the hut were stripped back, strengthened with ply and more strap bracing, and the windows were fixed and properly flashed (they had never been properly flashed and had always leaked). The building was re-wrapped and then the historic cladding reattached.  Repairing the eastern wall A couple of weeks later a strong team of five builders were back with Mike from DOC and in a solid four-day push stripped off the old roof, removed all the rotten sarking and purlins, and completely redid the roof structure, before putting on new sarking and a coloursteel roof. While three builders were on the roof, the others toiled away to rebuild the western wall. The historic gutters that wrap over the roof and onto the walls were then refitted.  Refitting the original cladding  Mike painting the northern wall By the beginning of April another short weather window presented itself and Aaron and Rob were joined by Wanaka/Fox Glacier builder Clint Jarvis and Frank Rosie from DOC Franz to finish the exterior detailing and painting, and sand and treat the floor with linseed oil. This work should see Almer Hut protected for many years to come. It'sAlmer Hut has been battered about for 70 years on this brilliant site high above the Franz Josef Glacier and the original cladding has the dents and imperfections that tell a story. With the mahi done it 2024 it will continue to serve ski tourers, trampers and climbers that visit to enjoy the parts of the high mountains that are easily accessed from the hut.  Clint and Aaron finishing the renovation, April 2024 The work was jointly funded between the DOC Heritage budget, BCT and the NZAC Tupiki Trust.
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