facilities at lake nameless (ironstone hut)

[rhyso]

hi there,
ive been doing a bit of looking around and have been unable to find a heads up about what is at ironstone hut.
is it like lady lake hut i.e. beds, metho stove? or is it merely a shelter and a fend for yourself job?
appreciate any info
cheers all
rhys

[DaveNoble]

The hut is made from local stone with a tin roof. The floor I think is dirt and there are some basic bunks and a table or bench of sorts. Generally not as flash as the one at Lady Lake, but still a nice location. The hut may still have a fireplace - but it may have been "closed up". There is an outside toilet.

Dave

[rhyso]

great, thanks dave
think ill take my thermarest along for the journey
rhys

[norts]

There is an old wood heater and foam on the bunks. You will need to carry water up from the lake so a bit of capacity is handy.

Roger

[whynotwalk]

Ironstone Hut is a rather charming mountain hut. Originally built in the 1930s, it was lovingly rebuilt in 1995 by volunteers, incl. some from the Mountain Hut Preservation Society, with assistance from Parks and Wildlife. Facilities are basic, but comfy enough if you're used to bushwalking. There are two sets of three-tiered bunks, some with foam, but I'd take a sleeping mat. It's comfy for four or five people. You could sleep six or more, if some don't mind risking the top of the triple bunks, or sleeping on the stone/earth floor. There is even an old camp stretcher bed stored in the roof.

The wood heater works okay, although it's leaky and the door doesn't shut very well. So it's not worth trying to keep it going overnight. Also wood gathering is both an environmental and time issue. Inside there's a rustic table with wobbly bench seats, an old mini pantry/shelf and a few little nooks and crannies for losing stuff in There's a primitive stone well just outside the hut. This collects water running off the roof, but can be dry and is open to contamination. Most users trek down to the lake. The toilet is quite a feature. It's a modern "sputnik" style unit (fly in/fly out, sealed system), in a hut with no door. It's about 50m from the hut so privacy isn't an issue, but it can be fun when the snow comes from the east, as it can just reach the toilet seat.

The hut is used by locals (Deloraine, Mole Ck etc), and they have strong links with the building, and occasionally have gatherings here. But it is a public hut, and can't officially be booked out. It's a good base from which to explore the Mt Irosntone/Forty Lakes Peak areas and much more,

cheers

Peter