MUMC Hut
Photo courtesy of G Duncan © 1993.
Also known as Melbourne University Mountaineering Club Hut or "Mum-Cee".
Located at North West Spur of Mount Feathertop, at about 1600 m.
From Harrietville drive approximately 6 km south on the sealed Great Alpine Road to the Stony Creek/trout-farm vicinity and the North West Spur walking-track access.
The steep, rough North West Spur route is about 7 km each way to the hut (14 km return), with creek crossings near the start. High water, snow and poor visibility can make it unsuitable. There is no public vehicle access to the hut; the former Stony Creek Top construction access is closed.
History
MUMC was originally founded in 1944 by undergraduate skiers. MUMC is famous for their logo, created by Niall Brennan in 1946 showing a mountaineer carrying a wide pack and ice axe and known across the world as the Oxo Man.
The death of members Doug Hatt and Russell Judge climbing in NZ inspired the erection of this unusual hut as a base camp for climbers and skiers, learning their trade. It is in the shape of a geodesic dome, originally shiny silver. Its construction was an immense task.
Renovations have been done more recently.
Peter Kneen designed the building which was completed at Easter 1966. Tom Kneen also helped with the design. Tom (not Peter as previously reported) died in a snow collapse on Feathertop in 1985.
MUMC was also a stimulus for other climbing across Australia. They also introduced orienteering to the country. The club records that the wood stove was removed for conservation and environmental reasons. Visitors must carry suitable cold-weather clothing and equipment as this is an exposed place.
Construction
The club’s construction account resolves the material-carrying route: Land Rovers brought supplies to the end of Stony Creek Top Track on the North Razorback. Volunteers then carried them across the northern slopes of Feathertop to the hut site. Materials were not driven or helicoptered to the hut itself.
The hut is an aluminium geodesic dome and caused a considerable stir at the time being quite large at 6.4m diameter, double storied and including a cellar. It has now been painted a less visible green colour.
There are 15 equilateral facets at the base, allowing a mezzanine to be built inside. The ceiling height is 2.3m over a polished hardwood floor. There are 7 windows and a porch. Water is collected from the porch roof and stored in a tank under the floor. There is no lining!
References
Hueneke Pp102, 125, 241.
Butler p202 to 206
Holth p90
David Sisson - pers comm.
Andrew Oppenheim - pers comm.
Mapping Guidance:
GPS: approximately 36.88495°S, 147.12694°E.
UTM Zone 55H: 511312 m E, 5917883 m N. Approximate VHCHA mapped position; WGS84 assumed.