Vallejo Gantner Hut vandalised

[walkon]

Whilst doing a big walk up in the snow across the divide we dropped into Macalister Springs last week. We were devastated to find some *&^%$#! had vandalised Vallejo Gantner Hut. At first I thought a snow storm had smashed all the rear Windows until I saw all the rocks littering the ground. *&%$#! angry doesn't even begin to explain my feelings, seriously it felt like someone had done this to my home. There was glass spread from one end of the building to the other. They had tried to smash the front windows as well with rocks on the mezzanine cracking three windows up there, it looked like all the damage was done from the rear of the building. Obviously this was done before the snow had come in as all those rocks are covered now. Friends were up there on the Monday of the long weekend and the hut was all good then. This sort of needless *&%$#! just *&%$#! me right off.

I spoke with the Chief Ranger of the alps and informed him of what had happened. He sounded upset at the news as well. Sadly Mrs Gantner passed recently and this was just adding to it all. I was informed that the hut will be repaired but that's not the point. That hut is more than just a shelter, building or refuge to me. I'd love to get my hands on the *&%$#! cretins who did this and show them some real justice!

Obviously it's not the best shelter at the moment though it still protects you to some degree for those who are going to venture up there just so you know.

Will attach pics later as this device won't upload them and if I can remember the ski forum password I will let them know as well

[north-north-west]

What sort of drongoes would do this, especially at this time of year?

Aren't all the roads closed at this time? They'd have had to walk in from a fair way out, wouldn't they? A lot of trouble to go to . Weird.

[Travis22]

Walkon, thats *&%$#! terrible news.

I completely agree with your feelings towards the hut and id be more then happy to assist karma giving the persons responsible what they deserve.

NNW, i think its assumed right now that the damage was done prior to the gates closing, but hopefully it shouldnt take too long to find out if anyone has been in since and if the hut was damaged then or more recently etc.

Really really upsetting to hear..! Makes me wonder if some *&%$#! bogans got in their with a 4wd too because most of them wouldnt walk further then the nearest fridge for a beer when out bush.

((Given it wasnt mentioned, i assume the toilet was left alone?))

Travis.

[GPSGuided]

One'd think that anyone who ventures that far into the bush would know the value of such facilities. Absolute scum/s!

[walkon]

I'd say that it was done after the gates closed, there are outdoor groups (schools) who walk over this area and camp down below the hut nearer the spring. Damaging the huts Windows at the rear would keep you hidden from the group leaders maybe I don't know. Spoke to the people who left later on the Monday of queens birthday and the hut was in good nick then, that's why I think it was done later.

[Travis22]

I didnt think of the school groups. I guess it could certainly be the work of a trouble making school kid.



Travis.

[Gadgetgeek]

While I would like to think that most outdoor reccies would do the right thing and report the damage, the truth is there is a minority that wouldn't feel it was their responsibility, and might not mention it for fear of getting on the school's bad side. So it could have been kids. Also, no guarantee that the road being closed stopped a 4x from going in there, locked gates are just a challenge to some.

really sucks when people break things just because they don't have any better ideas.

[Lophophaps]

Madness! Given that Mac Springs is the only water for a few hours of walking to Spec or Hells Window, there are probably people camping there every weekend in the non-winter months. If so, I would have expected the damage to be reported in the week after the damage. Still, there may be an upside. Perhaps the works necessary to replace the windows could also look at an airlock. The design of the entire hut is quite bad: no airlock, huge doors that face the prevailing winds, heat lofting way up, poor use of space and somewhat dark in the middle.

[ErichFromm]

This makes me so angry. It is so pointless. I'd hate to think an adult would be that stupid.

I doubt there would be funds to renovate the hut so dramatically Lophophaps...

[GPSGuided]

The design of the entire hut is quite bad: no airlock, huge doors that face the prevailing winds, heat lofting way up, poor use of space and somewhat dark in the middle.

And it was supposedly have been architecturally designed specifically for the purpose.

[north-north-west]

The design of the entire hut is quite bad: no airlock, huge doors that face the prevailing winds, heat lofting way up, poor use of space and somewhat dark in the middle.

And it was supposedly have been architecturally designed specifically for the purpose.

So was the Bert Newton Nichols Memorial Palatial Monstrosity at Windy Fridge. 'nuff said.

[Lophophaps]

And it was supposedly have been architecturally designed specifically for the purpose.

The general principles of Mac Springs were used at Windy Ridge. These are arguably the two most badly designed recent huts in Australian alpine regions. The huts do not enhance the memories of Gantner and Nicols.

[GPSGuided]

Some times one can't understand what goes in those architects' head.

[Snowzone]

Here are the photos of the damage caused from the rocks being thrown through the hut windows.

[GPSGuided]

Disgusting!

[ErichFromm]

And you can see the snow outside. A potentially life saving haven to someone ruined....

[Snowzone]

And you can see the snow outside. A potentially life saving haven to someone ruined....

Took these photos last week with Walkon so the snow depth now would be a lot more substantial. But yes it meant the Hut was very cold last week so we moved on to a much more satisfying area to camp. It was too depressing to stay.

[Avatar]

Mindless behaviour, but the damage could have been a lot worse.
The person(s) responsible may well have issues and a story to tell about their own personal damage.
Hopefully they come forward and participate in the repairs.

[GPSGuided]

Hopefully they come forward and participate in the repairs.

I doubt they would. They may become remorseful a decade later though...

[walkon]

Mindless behaviour, but the damage could have been a lot worse.
The person(s) responsible may well have issues and a story to tell about their own personal damage.
Hopefully they come forward and participate in the repairs.

No excuses or mitigating circumstances period, our society is way too soft on these *&%$#!. I'm positive that if I were to go to their home and toss rocks through their windows that they would be upset and try to stop me. They know right from wrong its just in our society we don't stand up and take responsibility for our actions.

[Lophophaps]

Maybe 20-30 years ago on one weekend three huts on Bogong burnt down - Maddisons aka Aertex, Summit and Bivouc. Aertes was all but dead, Summit had killed people, and Bivouc was falling apart. There was talk of rebuilding them all, including a hut under the summit cairn. LOL! Sanity prevailed and only Bivouc was rebuilt. On another weekend Johnstons burnt and was quickly rebuilt, starting a week or two after. How did the builders get the job ready so quickly? Very suss. Bluff Hut was expanded without a permit, passing through a normally locked gate (park manager had the key), causing great ire by the Minister for ... something, probably Conservation, Joan Kirner. Another miscreant was on Feathertop with a spray can. Being an idiot he sprayed his initials and then wrote it in the log book. He was reported to his headmaster.

The Mac Springs vandals are not quite in the same class. If convicted, I'd hope for a suspended sentence. Question is, where would the rope be tied on their bodies so they can be suspended? Neck, more towards the middle of the body? Have to think about this.

[north-north-west]

The Mac Springs vandals are not quite in the same class. If convicted, I'd hope for a suspended sentence. Question is, where would the rope be tied on their bodies so they can be suspended? Neck, more towards the middle of the body? Have to think about this.

Ankles. Above a neat little campfire . . .

[walkerchris77]

Hopefully these brainless morons lose their way and wish they had a night warm hut.
Sad.

[Lophophaps]

Ankles. Above a neat little campfire . . .

What an lovely thought. Of course in a FSOA a stove would be more apt. The trick is not to kill them - medium rare would be nice.

[Xplora]

This is one of our favourite places winter and summer but we tend to tent it outside. On our last trip I was surprised how many experienced people decided to use the hut to sleep in and it was summer. The weather was foul though. I don't think any school groups use this area at that time and it would be difficult for one to do the damage without coming to the attention of a leader. I do know there is a lot of illegal deer hunting in that area over winter and these hunters have cut locks in the past to gain 4wd access. Those intent on breaking one law may also want to disable a shelter to discourage people using it and possibly coming across them. It may also have been good for nobody else to be around when this happened as a confrontation would most likely have ensued. We can suppose all we like but fortunately they did not burn it down and the damage is easily fixed.

[walkon]

This is one of our favourite places winter and summer but we tend to tent it outside. On our last trip I was surprised how many experienced people decided to use the hut to sleep in and it was summer. The weather was foul though. I don't think any school groups use this area at that time and it would be difficult for one to do the damage without coming to the attention of a leader. I do know there is a lot of illegal deer hunting in that area over winter and these hunters have cut locks in the past to gain 4wd access. .

I've met many deer hunters at the hut over the years. I do have to say that the hunters you get who walk in there are Deer stalkers, total different mentality to some of the dog crews, more like bushwalkers who have guns really and are generally nice people.

[Zone-5]

I'm shocked at the wanton violence of some people!
I guess perspex will be the fix this time...


http://www.pbase.com/tlun/image/51680664


http://www.pbase.com/tlun/image/51680665

[walkon]

Its good to see your last photo, it made me realise just how much snow there was compared to the pic in my other thread about this trip

[Zone-5]

I wonder if the vandals wrote their names into the guest book?

[Lophophaps]

I wonder if the vandals wrote their names into the guest book?

This happened at Federation Hut. I can't recall what the idiot did, but it was probably either spray painting or carving his initials in trees. In the log book he left not only his name but the name of his secondary school. The headmaster was contacted, and I suspect that the idiot was unhappy. With modern comms it may be possible to let the headmaster know before the idiot got home.