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Centenary Hut Restoration

14 Mar 2016 21:11 #67340 by intrepid
Centenary Hut Restoration was created by intrepid

elinda wrote: Just as an aside, and possibly an issue for another separate topic, could VE not revitalise this hut as they have done so wonderfully well with Tsekeseke Hut? All that needs to be done really is to replace the window panes with the type of material used at Bannermans Hut – this would keep the pigeons out and the hut would remain clean and habitable. Centenary Hut stands in arguably one of the most scenic areas of the Little Berg, situated underneath the Trojan Wall and is ideally situated for escarpment hikes as Corner Pass and Judges Passes are close by. It’s just a shame that it is falling into disrepair and Parks Board don’t seem to be interested. I feel it is worth saving.


Probably the biggest hurdle is just having a project champion - anyone volunteering? I'm assuming that EKZNW would be happy to give the go ahead as they did with Tseke Hut. Centenary Hut is possibly more visited than Tseke Hut, with the popularity of the Corner Pass / Leslie's Pass loop, so hopefully this would mean getting volunteers shouldn't be too difficult, as with getting sponsorship for materials.

Interesting to note about Tseketseke Hut is that permission for us to maintain it was initially given on the basis that it would be easier to remove a maintained hut sometime in the future than a rusted up, ruined one (since the area is now a proclaimed wilderness, and it shouldn't be there). However, with the demonstrated interest in the hut, any potential plans to dismantle it may even be set aside. Public interest and involvement being the key here.
Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.
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16 Mar 2016 08:29 #67351 by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Centenary Hut Restoration
I rate a team of 4 or so could fix up Centenary Hut in a few hours, nothing too major - just need a broom to clean up the floors, and to fix the windows. It's not like Giants Hut without a roof or Tseke Hut without a floor and door.

Lets set a date and do it :thumbsup:

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16 Mar 2016 09:52 - 16 Mar 2016 10:04 #67352 by tonymarshall
Replied by tonymarshall on topic Centenary Hut Restoration
You've obviously never replaced broken window panes before :laugh:

It's a lot more time consuming (and effort) than you may imagine to remove the broken glass and old putty from the window frames, and there are a lot of windows on that hut.

It might make sense to do a two phased approach; go in on a first visit and remove all the old putty and broken glass, and measure all the pane sizes, and do a second visit to install the new panes.

Edit: I think this would be a very good cause, and am certainly not attempting to discourage anyone from repairing the windows. I just want to point out (from personal experience) that it will be a lot of work, and the time and effort required shouldn't be underestimated.
Last edit: 16 Mar 2016 10:04 by tonymarshall.
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16 Mar 2016 09:55 #67353 by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Centenary Hut Restoration

tonymarshall wrote: You've obviously never replaced broken window panes before :laugh:

Perhaps not :whistle:

Nonetheless I can't see how this will be massively time consuming, and am quite happy to help out on this one.

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16 Mar 2016 09:59 #67354 by Viking
Replied by Viking on topic Centenary Hut Restoration

tonymarshall wrote:
It might make sense to do a two phased approach; go in on a first visit and remove all the old putty and broken glass, and measure all the pane sizes,


I would be surprised if even just this part got finished in one trip. There is a lot of work to do here!
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”

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16 Mar 2016 10:28 #67355 by Smurfatefrog
Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Centenary Hut Restoration
Back windows to give some perspective. I think a lot of the window frames are out of shape too, so I'm not sure this could be done before morning tea allowing time to bag a few khulus before heading back in the afternoon.

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16 Mar 2016 10:59 #67356 by ghaznavid
Replied by ghaznavid on topic Centenary Hut Restoration
Bannerman Hut has perspex windows, right?

Measuring for the panes and knocking the frames into shape shouldn't be too difficult. Naturally the broken glass left in the frames will also need removal. 4 sets of 3 large panes, 5 small panes (and for the moment the rest are under a roof and are not really urgent) - I can't see how a team of people will take too long to fix this.

In my mind, the biggest problem with the hut is the broken glass everywhere. I have only slept there once, and it was a while ago, but in my memory - the hut is pretty big, but has broken glass all over the place. I remember managing to get a large hole in my self-inflating mat that night. Fixing up the windows is great, but you can sleep away from the windows. So what I mean by "easy to sort out" is that most of the work is about cleaning the hut rather than actually fixing anything.

But yes, I am up for joining the team that goes to fix the place. Could be interesting to experience how long it actually takes to replace windows!

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16 Mar 2016 11:22 #67359 by Viking
Replied by Viking on topic Centenary Hut Restoration

Smurfatefrog wrote: I'm not sure this could be done before morning tea allowing time to bag a few khulus before heading back in the afternoon.[/attachment]


Yes, don't forget the time allocation for the "Fun" activities.
“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”

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16 Mar 2016 12:17 #67361 by elinda
Replied by elinda on topic Centenary Hut Restoration
Count me in - I would be more than happy to assist in whatever way I can

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16 Mar 2016 20:10 #67370 by Richard Hunt
Replied by Richard Hunt on topic Centenary Hut Restoration
Sounds good...6 volunteers or more, each to prepare a window frame...maybe a 2 hr job, including all the talking!! Then the rest of the day to explore. Second trip to bring up the plastic panes and install with putty + clean up the building. Notes:The main problem is the pigeon droppings and the window panes will keep them out. Also the door still works well and the roof is good :thumbsup:
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