WORSLEY BIVOUAC

Arthur’s Pass National Park – December 2020

​After the Waimakariri, the Poulter River is the second largest catchment in Arthur’s Pass National Park, with a number of huts located along its length –  well into the headwaters. One of these is the A-Frame Worsley Bivouac, located on a river terrace between Trudge and Enchanted Streams.

​Back over the 2017–18 summer, a team led by Andre Le Leirve, and funded by the BCT, undertook repair work at the bivouac, which included fixing the roof cap, and replacing flashing and the skylight. The team prepped the cladding for re-painting, but ran out of time and good weather after a commendable 144 person hours.

NEW SKYLIGHT

​In 2020, Liz Wightwick visited Worsley Biv, saw it still needed painting, and worked with DOC ranger Gavin Collis, and BCT Chair Craig Benbow to arrange a volunteer work party to team up with DOC rangers.

TEAM WORSLEY BIV: DOC STAFF RAQAYAH SCOTT-PAUL, RYAN SEARLE; VOLUNTEERS LIZ WIGHTWICK, GUY MCKINNON AND PETER UMBERS.

​The DOC staff choppered in, delivered paint to Worsley Hut, then flew on to Poulter Bivouac, where they completed some painting there before walking down to Worsley Bivouac. The volunteers tramped in from Andrews Shelter via Casey Saddle (8 hours) and arrived in time to help Ryan and Raqayah with the sanding and wire-brushing.

PREPARING SURFACES

​On Day 2, the five-strong team finished prep work, applied a galvo primer, then brushed on the first coat of new green paint. While that was drying, the team prepared the wooden window, and by 7 p.m. had the second coat of paint finished.

LIZ PAINTING ON THE FIRST COAT OF THE NEW GREEN

​On Day 3, the DOC staff walked out, while Liz, Peter and Guy painted the toilet roof, applied second coats to the door and window, dragged dead trees away from the hut, and tidied up. They departed for Casey Hut after an efficient job well done.

BEFORE

​Altogether, over two trips, some 222-person volunteer hours, plus 34 DOC staff hours, were spent to make Worsley Bivouac ready for use for some years to come. Thanks to all involved, DOC staff and volunteers.

AFTER