Caroline Hut Maintenance

​Back in early Winter 2019 Alastair Campbell got a group together from Permolat Southland to carry out the catch up maintenance on Caroline Hut on the shores of Lake Hauroko in Fiordland National Park.
 
The hut was built in the 1960s by a group from the local NZDA Branch using native timber from the local Tuatapere Mill. Over time the hut has developed a few issues including a number of floor joists that had been badly affected by borer and had subsequently fractured. The roof was also leaking.

​The group did seven days in total on the project with a total of 8 volunteers contributing over 320 hours work. Access to the hut, including the transport of all the materials, was via boat up Lake Hauroko.
 
The group split into two with the first team replacing the roof, building a new verandah over the front entry as well as a new tank stand for a new tank and sink. A new stainless steel bench was also installed.

​The second team worked on the subfloor with the hut having to be jacked up so that nine joists could be replaced. The subfloor was also treated with Metalex timber preserver.
 
Alastair and more volunteers from Permolat Southland will be back in this summer to finish the exterior and interior painting to complete another excellent project from this group in the south.