June Working Bee - Upper Caples Hut
This is a great chance for members to come along and help out on this hut's next working bee. Due to a lack of volunteers on the last one it was cancelled, so this is the revised dates over the school holidays.
We are looking for at least 5 to 6 people who can help. If these days don't quite suit then let Dave know and we might be able to extend dates either side if needed.
This will be to replenish firewood supplies, clean gutters, install additional solar panels and batteries, clean the Soak-pit and grease trap, complete the underfloor insulation, check smoke and monoxide alarm battery conditions, upgrade the water intake to make it more flood robust, undertake general Maintenace of the hut and surrounds.
As a working bee - work comes first - with an expectation of a minimum of 5 hours a day of assistance on the tasks. We will be working, but we will also be playing as well. This is a great chance to get to know fellow club members over a whisky/beer/wine or juice round the table at night and explore the area.
These working bees are always a popular and fun event and give back to the community.
This working bee is within the Upper Caples RHA ballot and we do not have a hunting permit for this period, so at this stage no hunting is allowed. HOWEVER we have been in touch with Doc to ask about cancellations and obtaining a permit if available. We are awaiting DOC approval so will let you know if it is approved.
No firearms licence?
No worries, at this stage no hunting within the RHA Ballot however there is some open hunting available on the tops in steel creek if you have the legs for it. You are more than welcome to come along too - these are perfect opportunities to learn more in a safe and professional environment in a relaxed learning setting.
Work planned
We plan to achieve the following during this working bee
- Splitting firewood and restocking the two firewood sheds
- Complete the underfloor insulation installation.
- add additional solar panels and batteries and charging ports.
- Minor clearing the tracks either side of the hut- weeding and trimming grass, fix broken timber walks
- Clean out the soakpit and grease trap
- Clean the toilets.
- Clean the gutters.
- upgrade the water supply intake in creek.
- Check smoke alarm and monoxide battery conditions.
- general hut clean up and maintenance
- Eat, drink and be merry.....(and hopefully some hunting!)
It is pretty casual and we aim to make it social and its a great place to de-stress by working hard in the backcountry :-).
Accommodation:
We will stay at the Upper Caples hut (16 beds), But plenty of tent room.
Get on our website and look up our hut so you can see what is already there and the sleeping set ups etc.
Getting there
we will arrange for helicopter loads in and out to carry the gear and people- however you are welcome to walk in if you wish and we can fly your gear.
The club will cover the costs for heli flights as part of the load schedule, this is a working bee with no hunting opportunities at this stage. We can also co-ordinate additional passenger flights, i fyou are wishing to go outside the load schedules arranged, however the full cost of these will be passed on amongst those that do separate passenger trips to the load schedule. (typically $2000 return but TBC) This will be refined closer to the time.
Heli flights would leave from the Glenorchy aerodrome just before you get into Glenorchy.
Walking requires you to drive (additional 45 minutes) around or carpool and park at the Greenstone/Caples track carpark.
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
You must be a paid up current member of the club prior to attending the event.
New members/guests are welcome however they will need to join up as member of the club to get this pricing. If not then the cost of Heli flights is at full non discounted rate and a daily hut accommodation fee $30/day will apply and they will need to arrange and supply the certificates of their own general liability insurances prior to attending the event.
Normally flights will be determined based on when people are available as best possible so please let us know your flexibility for this in the registration form.
Suggestions of Helicopters heading in/out:- NOTE these are not confirmed and will be based on those attending and what works best.
- either Late Friday afternoon 27th June (4.30pm) OR early Sat 28th June (8.30 am) based on numbers and availability
- Return Late Monday 30th June (4.30pm)
- other dates on demand if ample numbers - state your intentions in the registration form so we can see what can be arranged. and note flight costs will be fully charged for those on those flights
What time does the Heli fly?
Once we get closer to the time and have confirmed numbers, we will email the times of the helicopters and further details but it will be based on best situation for all so you will need to be flexible.
What do I bring?
Your boots, hut shoe/slippers, food for you, clothes, towel, toiletries, sleeping bag/under sheet, working gloves, overalls, tools (will be advised closer to the time). A willingness to have fun, get dirty and enjoy being in the bush with like-minded people.
And if we get approval your hunting gear, gun security bits etc..
If someone wants to come in and be camp mother/father who sorts the dinners/ lunches/breakfasts for the team so they can not worry about it then, that would be fabulous, and we would coordinate a communal food menu.
So please book your leave with work now and register asap to secure your place on what will be another very fun and rewarding trip. it is also school holidays so kids are welcome if you need to look after them anyway.
There will be a zoom briefing session on Tuesday 24th June at 7.30pm, if you can't make it please let Dave Rider know before hand.
We will also have a whats app chat group set up so you can ask any questions/ coordinate carpooling etc etc.
REGISTER NOW
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