Burn Creek Bivvy | Part 3
Burn Creek Bivvy was in original condition, ie, over 60 years old and clearly needed some work to avoid it collapsing in the following decade.
In discussion with others, we decided to apply for funding for the restoration, and a group of six of us would undertake the work over the 2023–24 summer.
The six volunteers had plenty of experience and skills. Half of been involved in the restoration of the historic 1930s Kea Hut on Mount Robert in Nelson Lakes National Park, and some had also worked on Connor Creek Hut.
Our application was successful, and we were allocated a budget of $15,000.
Yay!
I volunteered to write the Scope of Work report, which needed a visit to measure up and assess what work was actually required.
With helicopter access expensive, we were quoted almost $11,000 for the flights needed alone, it was important that all aspects of the restoration work was considered prior to getting to the hut, particularly as half the team hasn’t visited, and two others had visited seven years before.
Fortunately, some enthusiast had marked the track, mostly, as a lockdown project.
I carried loppers to do some track clearing, a short Waratah and orange capping to mark the south branch creek crossing, 100 Permolat markers and nails, etc, as well as ten days food, my tent, etc.
No surprise, I decided on camping twice on the way so I could have three half days using the loppers.
Drizzle started immediately upon my arrival, and I took time to measure up, which required some clearing around the hut. No rush out with the tops getting drenched.
With the Matakitaki River up, it seems sensible to exit via the easier Nardoo Bivvy and Creek.
Not so easy getting to the bivvy, but Nardoo Creek is wider and flatter with more river flats and a reasonably marked and recently maintained track.
That would prove its own Little Adventure.