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Kunama Huette

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Kunama Huette

Kunama Huette was the second project of the Ski Tourers Association (STA). In late 1951, although Lake Albina Lodge was not quite finished, Charles Anton (President STA) started on the second project.  Kunama Huette was even more difficult to build than Lake Albina Lodge. It was in the Kunama basin surrounded by Mts Clarke, Northcote, Lee and Carruthers. Again, Kosciusko State Park Trust (KSPT) came to the rescue.  The nearest road-head was Seaman’s Hut, as was the case for Lake Albina Lodge. A heavy truck moved materials from Seaman’s Hut to Moraine Pass, between Mts Northcote and Clarke, whence they were manhandled down 244 vertical metres to the valley floor. The hut was again prefabricated in sections.

Kunama Huette

Kunama Huette was the second project of the Ski Tourers Association (STA). In late 1951, although Lake Albina Lodge was not quite finished, Charles Anton (President STA) started on the second project.  Kunama Huette was even more difficult to build than Lake Albina Lodge. It was in the Kunama basin surrounded by Mts Clarke, Northcote, Lee and Carruthers. Again, Kosciusko State Park Trust (KSPT) came to the rescue.  The nearest road-head was Seaman’s Hut, as was the case for Lake Albina Lodge. A heavy truck moved materials from Seaman’s Hut to Moraine Pass, between Mts Northcote and Clarke, whence they were manhandled down 244 vertical metres to the valley floor. The hut was again prefabricated in sections.

Building Kunama

By early March, 1952 all materials were on site and the shell of the building  had been erected. Before the steel bracing cables could be fitted, a ‘willy-willy’ struck and collapsed the structure. There was not a great deal of damage but time had been lost.

By 20 April, 1952 the building was under three feet of snow and work was stopped for the winter.

Building Kunama

By early March, 1952 all materials were on site and the shell of the building  had been erected. Before the steel bracing cables could be fitted, a ‘willy-willy’ struck and collapsed the structure. There was not a great deal of damage but time had been lost.

By 20 April, 1952 the building was under three feet of snow and work was stopped for the winter.

Building complete

In December, 1952 work recommenced and, by years end, the roof had been installed and the windows fitted. Kunama Huette, with 10 beds and Tyrolean in style, opened for business in June, 1953 with Harry Malcher as manager.

Building complete

In December, 1952 work recommenced and, by years end, the roof had been installed and the windows fitted. Kunama Huette, with 10 beds and Tyrolean in style, opened for business in June, 1953 with Harry Malcher as manager.

Interior of Kunama Huette

Interior of Kunama Huette

Northcote Ski Tow and Tow Hut

When Kunama Huette was being planned, it was decided to build a Hamilton rope tow adjacent to it up the slope of Mt Northcote so as to access the slopes of the Clarke-Northcote-Lee-Carruthers basin and to assist travel to Lake Albina Lodge.

The tow hut was a two storey structure with accommodation downstairs for four and the engine room in the second storey to ensure its operation in years of heavy snow.

Northcote Ski Tow and Tow Hut

When Kunama Huette was being planned, it was decided to build a Hamilton rope tow adjacent to it up the slope of Mt Northcote so as to access the slopes of the Clarke-Northcote-Lee-Carruthers basin and to assist travel to Lake Albina Lodge.

The tow hut was a two storey structure with accommodation downstairs for four and the engine room in the second storey to ensure its operation in years of heavy snow.

G.R.T. (Bob) Ward

G.R.T. (Bob) Ward, was an accountant by profession and the long time secretary of Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC). Although not an architect, he had an interest in design and designed Kunama Huette. He also had a deep interest in weather forecasting and, every year, provided a forecast for the coming winter season.

G.R.T. (Bob) Ward

G.R.T. (Bob) Ward, was an accountant by profession and the long time secretary of Kosciusko Alpine Club (KAC). Although not an architect, he had an interest in design and designed Kunama Huette. He also had a deep interest in weather forecasting and, every year, provided a forecast for the coming winter season.

Avalanche

Disaster struck Kunama Huette on 12 July 1956 when an avalanche from Mt Clarke destroyed it, killing Roslyn Wesche, one of 11 people in the hut. Hers was the third ski death in NSW.

Avalanches are rare in Australia and this one resulted from unusual conditions. Previous weather had caused a hard icy surface to form on the snow. Then came 45 cm of dry snow from the south-east, instead of the usual west. As a result, a large cornice formed on Mt Clarke which collapsed to start the avalanche. 

Kunama stood out from the slope on a little knoll but the dip behind the hut had been filled with new snow and the avalanche, instead of falling into the depression, was able to run directly into the hut, knocking it off its foundations.

Avalanche

Disaster struck Kunama Huette on 12 July 1956 when an avalanche from Mt Clarke destroyed it, killing Roslyn Wesche, one of 11 people in the hut. Hers was the third ski death in NSW.

Avalanches are rare in Australia and this one resulted from unusual conditions. Previous weather had caused a hard icy surface to form on the snow. Then came 45 cm of dry snow from the south-east, instead of the usual west. As a result, a large cornice formed on Mt Clarke which collapsed to start the avalanche. 

Kunama stood out from the slope on a little knoll but the dip behind the hut had been filled with new snow and the avalanche, instead of falling into the depression, was able to run directly into the hut, knocking it off its foundations.

Roslyn Wesche

Roslyn Wesche, who was the only person killed in the Kunama avalanche, came from a very well known, long time skiing family.

Since the building of Kunama, the attitude of Kosciusko State Park Trust (KSPT) towards building in wilderness areas of the State Park had changed, and KSPT did not permit Ski Tourers Association (STA) to rebuild Kunama Huette.

As a result, STA moved its attention to Thredbo Valley, where the new Thredbo resort was just beginning, and built two lodges there, the second of which was called ‘Roslyn Lodge’, after Roslyn Wesche.

Roslyn Wesche

Roslyn Wesche, who was the only person killed in the Kunama avalanche, came from a very well known, long time skiing family.

Since the building of Kunama, the attitude of Kosciusko State Park Trust (KSPT) towards building in wilderness areas of the State Park had changed, and KSPT did not permit Ski Tourers Association (STA) to rebuild Kunama Huette.

As a result, STA moved its attention to Thredbo Valley, where the new Thredbo resort was just beginning, and built two lodges there, the second of which was called ‘Roslyn Lodge’, after Roslyn Wesche.