Bushwalk Australia

The new Windy Ridge Hut, which will be completed in the next month or so, is going to be renamed Bert Nichols Hut. Bert was a pioneer trapper, ranger and guide in the early part of the 20th century. He was one of the first people to guide others through the Overland Track. There used to be a Nichols Hut at Lake Marion (beneath Mt Gould), but this was burned down by careless bushwalkers in 1963.

The name will appear on the (slightly revised) reprint of TASMAP's "Cradle Mt-Lake St Clair National Park Map & Notes", which should be out in the next few months. So it's farewell Windy Ridge and hello Bert Nichols.

cheers

Peter

Thanks for the information, Peter, it's good to know. I do wonder why such decisions are made though, when it's likely to cause confusion to those who know the old name of 'Windy Ridge', as well as for those (perhaps few) who know the old location for 'Nichols"

I suspect there will be a phasing-in period during which both names will be used. On the map, for instance, it will say something like "Bert Nichols Hut, formerly known as Windy Ridge Hut". Eventually the Windy Ridge name will drift away. But judging by how many people still talk about "The Reserve", it may be generations away! We went through the same thing with the change from Asbestos Range National Park to Narawntapu National Park, although I suspect people were less worried about losing the Asbestos part

On the positive side it is good to see the name of Bert Nichols honoured again. He apparently was a remarkable character, and really did help pioneer the track. An interesting account of an early Bert-guided trip is on the Jack Thwaites Bush Diaries website (along with much other wonderful material). Go to <http://www.jackthwaitesbushdiaries.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi> and scroll down to "Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair, 1931"

cheers

Peter

whynotwalk wrote:An interesting account of an early Bert-guided trip is on the Jack Thwaites Bush Diaries website (along with much other wonderful material). Go to <http://www.jackthwaitesbushdiaries.com/cgi-bin/download.cgi> and scroll down to "Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair, 1931"
cheers
Peter

Well, thanks a bleedin lot for my cold dinner tonite!!
I copied your link, but it doesn't work. So I went to http://www.jackthwaitesbushdiaries.com/ and clicked on "View Jack's Diaries".
I then scrolled down and clicked on "Cradle Mt - Lake St Clair, 1931"
Then I clicked on "Open" and started reading.
And I finished reading.
And my dinner was cold.
But I am content. What a great read!
Thanks for the link.

By the way, where's Narawntapu? Is that anywhere near Asbestos Ranges? And are yuou telling me they've renamed the Reserve??