1 st of June 2016. Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope it encourages you to head home to the Coast on your next holidays. My name is Bruce Smith. I am a 4th generation Coaster and this week I want to tell you about how a new DOC hut that was damaged by a flood at Welcome Flat was shifted in 1988, with no excavators or shifting equipment, to its new location about 400m away. Our thanks to John Rathgen for the photos and the story.
Welcome Flat offers you stunning forest, river and alpine vistas as it winds its way up the Copland Valley, in Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Walkers usually complete this track as an overnight trip, staying in the Welcome Flat Department of Conservation Hut overnight which is the subject of this story. When you do walk in at the end of the first day of walking (18km/11 miles), weary hikers love a soak in the naturally heated Welcome Flat hot pools. The hot pools are a short stroll from the hut and have stunning views of the Sierra Range. The hut as it is today: The start of the Copland Track is located 150m inland from where the Copland Valley is signposted on State Highway 6, 26km south of Fox Glacier. The turnoff to the car park is well sign-posted on the northern side of the Karangarua River bridge. Welcome Flat Hut is accessible year-round, but summer and autumn (December through May) are great times of year to enjoy this track snow and ice can be challenging in winter and spring
In 1988 a huge downpour sent flood waters through the newly constructed hut. The decision was made to shift it rather than demolish it. Tenders were called for and a range of prices from $18,000 to $120,000 were received. Hokitika engineer John Rathgen was awarded the contract for $39,000 to pick up the hut and move it up the river and out of the way of future flood events. I spoke to John about the price and he said that the person who tendered $120,000 would have lost a few bob, so its seems John has made a substantial donation to conservation on the Coast.
This shot shows where the flood waters surrounded the newly built hut. Around the back was a mountain of dirt and boulders.
This shot gives you a great view of just how bad it was. On site checking to see if it was possible to dig it out, lift it and skid it up river to a safer site.
The rubble was cleared by hand.
Then James Scott bought in the RSJ beams to be used to create a rail track along with the required timber. All the equipment used had to be carried in by helicopter.
The second beam is lifted for transporting. Then the task of digging it out and jacking the hut up began.
A much younger Harry Te Whata prepares the south side. The walls were braced and the winch wires connected.
Jockey wheels were connected to the building and sat inside the RSJ beams. It starts to move and falls off the beams. *%%*&%*(*^(^*
The track is rebuilt and they have another go. Peachy Jones works under the structure, no doubt wondering how strong it all was. These guys relied on experience and a good dose of common sense.
Finally the team is ready for the big haul again. The line ahead is clear.
Another day is over thank goodness. It s early morning and time for the big shift to start again.
Harry, Peachy, Henk, John and a couple of faces I don t recall, sit and contemplate. They were tough buggers. This was make or break time, the project was already well over budget.
Peachy Jones heads for home as he has a power board job to complete, a big loss for the team. John Rathgen does the dishes after breakfast.
The hut is ready for the next move and a welcome break taken in the hot pools. James arrives back in to bring food a beer for the team.
Every day this was what we saw, up close and clear clear air. Deer at every turn and an experience none of us will forget, but now it s back to work. Henk Dirks a great worker with a brilliant brain
This is it. no more mucking around, it moves or..?? The ropes are tight and the hut makes its second and last move as we all watch nervously.
We make it and its sitting right where it was supposed to go and the piles were straight.
Now the braces are removed and the outside repaired and the job is completed.
Since 1988 thousands of trampers have enjoyed Welcome flat hut and you can do the same by checking with DOC and booking your stay. Please note we have no commission arrangements with any of the attractions or accommodation mentioned. Our aim is to show you just a fraction of what is on offer on the Coast and from there it s all up to you. Thanks for coming on this virtual tour with me and we can t wait until you all return to the Coast to reconnect again and catch up on the amazing things to do and places to visit. Bruce Smith. The Coasters Club. The Coast extends from Karamea to the Haast and incorporates the people of Buller,Grey and Westland. www.thecoastersclub.co.nz