Johnston's Hut
Photo courtesy of Alan Levy © 2001.
Known as Telemark Hut or Johnstons Hut
Located at below Mount Nelse, east of Big River Fire Track.
From Falls Creek drive about 6 km along the sealed Bogong High Plains Road around Rocky Valley Lake to Big River Fire Track. Park before the management gate, walk north along the fire track and follow the signed eastern branch to Johnstons Hut.
The final route crosses open, exposed high plains. The Ski Club of East Gippsland states there is no direct vehicle access at any time.
Brief History
The first hut was built in the early 1930s and was popular with skiers very soon afterwards, although it was built as the only hut in the Alpine Area for sheep grazing. The builders were William Johnston and Chris Johnston of Tongio.
In 1947, CND Bant, Honorary Secretary of the Telemark Ski Club applied for a permissive occupancy for the site. CP Johnston had no issues with this. The Ski Club of East Gippsland acquired the permissive occupancy in 1966.
The hut burnt down on 17 May 1976, and the club immediately replaced it with a large tent, as the ski poles led right to it.
The new hut was built in June 1976 and was of almost identical appearance. Both SCEG and the Wangaratta Ski Club were involved. Disputes went on for some time as the reason the hut was burnt and why it was locked and not available to the public.
Part of the hut, had always been left unlocked as a refuge but this was small, and later enlarged (1983). The main section has historically been available through club bookings; confirm current booking arrangements and facilities directly with the Ski Club of East Gippsland rather than relying on the old postal instructions. The club’s maintenance agreement dates from 1986.
Construction
The hut is 5.5m by 5.6m with a skillion to one side. The design is known as "American Country Club" with 110mm shiplapped hardwood boards and a corrugated iron roof. The hut was re-built on concrete piers, solving one of the key problems with early huts.
References
Hueneke Pp167, 182, 238.
G. Butler 1996 Pp151-155
Boadle 1983
Not Below 5000: A History of the Ski Club of East Gippsland SCEG 2001 Pp42, 50, 68-79.
Mapping Guidance;
GPS: approximately 36.84880°S, 147.35131°E.
UTM Zone 55H: 531320 m E, 5921843 m N (WGS84). Approximate VHCHA mapped position.