NSW Nordic Ski Club

HUT ETIQUETTE

Dotted across the snow country are a number of huts of various origins, i.e., cattlemen, miners, the SMA and ski tourers. Most of them are of timber and galvanised iron construction and were built for shelter in the summer months. These huts are frequently used by bushwalkers, and by ski tourers in the winter.

The following material is drawn from the Victorian Federation of Bushwalking Clubs publications and represents the manner of utilisation employed by most ski tourers. However, the points are a matter for individual consideration and action.

Huts cannot be counted on. Parties MUST ALWAYS be equipped with proper snow tents to enable them to camp in the snow. I.E. A "Woollies special" is not sufficient. Huts can burn down, be full, be full of sick people, or just may not be reached.
It is not possible to "claim" a hut. Everyone who arrives at a hut has the right to use the facilities, regardless of how full the hut is. However, common sense prevails and if you arrive at a full hut, the courteous thing to do is to ski on and camp out.
Priority of use goes to the injured, hypothermic or ill.
Stay only one night and avoid overloading the surrounding ecosystem. A prime reason for the removal of Albina and Rawsons Huts by the NPWS was people camping there for weeks at a time.
Minimise the destruction of your gear and allow a fair share of the fire and bench space for all. E.g. once your sox are dry, put them away so they no longer hang over someone's stew.
Fires. An average of one hut per year burns down. Some huts are potential time bombs. E.g. O'Keefes Hut is lines with tar paper. If a fire must be used:-

Be very conscious of the fire hazard that exists with huts.
Ensure the fire is out before you retire at night and when leaving the hut.
Never leave an unattended fire in a hut.
Special care with stoves is advised.
Replenish any fire wood used. The firewood is there primarily for parties in extremis.
Burn only paper. Plastic and aluminium foil do not burn in fires, so these must be carries out regardless.

Hygiene
1. Be scrupulously careful.
2. Spread newspaper on bench tops.
3. Ensure utensils do not touch any hut surface.
4. Remove all scraps and crumbs (100 m from the hut).
5. Pick up water well away and upstream from huts to avoid the contamination problem.
Rodents. All huts are inhabited my mice and some rats. These are usually native species and as such are protected. They are attracted by shelter, warmth and food. Although the mice are very cute, they cause a serious health problem. The appropriate action is to:-
1. Ensure no scraps are left out.
2. Pack all utensils, pots and food away. Rats will use the presence of these items as an excuse to throw a noisy party.
3. Hang packs from the rafters. to avoid unsightly holes appearing in in your pack.
4. Do not leave excess food for others as it inevitably becomes contaminated by rodents.
5. Do not leave a bucket of water for the next party - this will encourage vermin. Buckets should be left upside down.
The alternative is to give the hut a wide berth and camp on the snow.
Toilets. Most of the popular huts are graced with pit toilets, please use them, even at 2 am on a freezing cold night with a strong wind blowing. To prevent a ring of yellow snow appearing around the hut door, go at least 100 m from the hut. If there isn't a toilet, go at least 200 m down slope of the hut. On dark stormy nights take a torch, and let someone know before you go - in case you get lost! Inappropriate disposal of human waste is a major source of hut induced sickness.
When Leaving
1. Ensure the fire is out. The next party will prefer to find a cold fireplace rather than a smouldering hut ruin or bush fire.
2. Carry out all your rubbish, and where possible, items left by others.
3. Enter your group's name, date amd route in the log book provided. Also include witty or acid comments and illustrations.
4. Make an appropriate donation to the coin trap, and come along to a hut maintenace trip in the summer.
5. Sweep out the hut.
6. Securely close doors and windows to prevent snow and wild animals enterening the hut.

In the interests of appropriate and enjoyable hut usage...

Last revised 28-Sep-2004. Produced on Sunday, 04-May-2008 09:46:26 EST

Information on these pages was correct at the time of preparation. Outdoor conditions change regularly. None of the information on these pages should be relied upon without full varification from a current reliable source. Club members have access to such a service via the Club Committee. Many of the Mountain Huts referred to on these pages are plain hard to find and may have burnt down recently. Never rely on a hut for shelter.