Mt Eliza Hut
Photograph Copyright Olaf Moon © 1976 In photo, Keith Moon, Kathy Moon, Ian Moon, Jim Moon
Known as Mount Eliza Hut, High Camp Memorial Hut, Mt Eliza Memorial Hut or the Mt Anne Hut.
Located at High camp, Mt Eliza, SW National Park.
Brief history
The Mt Eliza hut was built by the Hobart Walking Club (HWC) between 1971 and 1974. It was dedicated to three well known club members, all of whom had died in varying circumstances about that time. They were Agnete Damgaard, Olegas Truchanas and John Plaister. Olegas was known in particular for his spectacular photography, but he unfortunately perished in a canoing accident on the Franklin River.
Construction of the hut was a torrid affair, with materials (including bags of cement) being carried some thousands of feet up the spur to the hut. The location was chosen for its immediate proximity to the summit of Mt Eliza, and as a key stepping off point for walkers climbing Mt Anne, or walking the exposed Mt Anne circuit.
Bags of cement weigh one-hundredweight, being 112 pounds. Each was divided in two of 61 pounds (about 30kg), and carried in a backpack up the spur. I remember this very well!
Construction
The hut was built from local stone, to stand the blasts from the winter westerlies. None the less, the walls needed special proofing to keep the rainwater out. The roof is of cliplock iron.
Caretakers - Hobart Walking Club
References
J. Moon, J Cannon, D Sisson - all pers comms.