In excellent weather the working bee was held over Saturday 21st and Sunday the 22nd of March. On Saturday Craig and Rudy transported cement, akya storage components, gas and associated tools up the mountain for the two main jobs of installing a new tow pole and building an akya storage hut. Karen and Peter were already busy digging the pole hole, navigating a few stubborn rocks, to be 1.2 m deep in preparation for Sunday. They also had energy to carry up a few bags of cement-mix!
Saturday night delighted the mountain stayers with a warm still night, clear skies and an aurora.
On Sunday we had a crew of 13 volunteers to carry the remaining materials (15 bags of cement mix, water, timber and tools etc) to the top of the Mawson tow to concrete in the pole. The water containers, many provided and filled by Liz, were used milk and drink containers just the size for 1 bag of cement mix. The pole was safely erected and secured in place with appropriate ropes and timber bracing. The team then mixed 18 bags of cement-mix to secure the pole, followed by a well-earned rest for lunch.
The pole erecting team Rod, George, Michael, Jan, Ewan and Rudy (Rob taking picture
After lunch some of the supports and bracing for the Akya hut were installed ready for the next working bee.
George, Jan, Michael and Rod out of picture preparing the Akya hut.
Meanwhile back at the Mawson motor hut some new ice scrappers were installed by Tim and Nick as well as other jobs.
A big thankyou to all the regular volunteers and 4 new (2 from HWC (Rhonda and Graham Wood) and ski patrol member (Jan Pur and son) that made this a very successful working bee in great weather and with good humour.
The glorious weather was the key component!
A great activity to play a tiny role in.