Cascade Hut Weekend 2026
by Jonathan Mandl
Information for IAC members not familiar with Cascade Hut
Cascade Hut is located in the Pilot Wilderness Area, sited 100 metres east of the Cascade fire trail and approximately 8 kilometres south of Dead Horse Gap.
Cascade Hut serves multiple roles:
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As a tangible link to a past way of life
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As an exemplar of horizontal slab construction
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As a focal point or destination for day users
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As a support to overnight camping
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As an emergency shelter
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As a place that can contribute to the emotional wellbeing of the visitor
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As a focus for the Illawarra Alpine Club who have undertaken conservation of the hut over the last 54 years as caretakers in concert with KHA and NPWS
Cascade Hut is entered in the Historic Heritage Information System (HHIMS) and is specifically noted as a heritage item in the Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) Plan of Management (POM). As such it is recognised as a significant component of the National Heritage values of the KNP.
For more information on the history of Cascade Hut, visit the Kosciuszko Huts Association website.
IAC/KHA/NPWS Cascade Hut work party 17-19 April 2026
Following original planning with Pat Edmondson in May 2025 on a work party proposed for Teddy’s Hut in 2026, Head Ranger for the Pilot Wilderness Area Campbell Young recommended prioritising work at Cascade Hut in line with issues identified in the 2025 Heritage Asset Action Plan (HAAP) commissioned by Campbell in 2025. We’re aiming to return to Teddy’s Hut as early as 2027 to complete unfinished business sealing the floor and extending the eaves.
Dawn on Friday 17 brought a perfect bright start under a clear blue sky for the 4 of us departing from the IAC Lodge, linking up with 5 of the Bolton family at the Cascade Trail-head carpark near Dead Horse Gap on the Alpine Way.
Volunteers included Jonathan Mandl, Ballan Bolton, Rachel Bolton, Tully Bolton (14), Luka Bolton (13), Libby Bolton, Luke Brajkovich, Jenna Bradkovich and Adam West (warmly welcomed on debut with IAC Huts restoration!)
After a quick uneventful trip to the hut, the forecast afternoon thunderstorm was top of mind as we held our Job Safety Analysis risk assessment briefing then setup camp. Campbell’s chainsaw unfortunately failed so it was Adam to the rescue – driving back to the carpark to retrieve a backup battery chainsaw. In the meantime, we all got busy with the tasks we’d discussed and coordinated by Ballan as site supervisor. On return, Campbell cut the new hitching rail and posts from a nearby fallen Snowgum plus a stockpile of logs for the next few days.
Campbell joined us for a quick lunch before driving out - not a moment too soon as blue sky gave way to threatening dark cloud and a sudden temp drop of at least 10C. A drizzle of light hail soon became a 2 hour constant shower of hailstones turning the landscape white – we watched on sheltering inside the hut with a warm fire blazing while our worksite turned into a snowfield. If only we had our XC ski gear!
Once the hail subsided we took note of where we’d need to improve drainage around the hut, then struck up the main campfire and snacked on some savouries before enjoying a delicious hot multi-dish meal by guest-chef Libby followed by dessert then capped off with Pat’s hot rum toddy recipe fireside as we remembered fondly the many work parties we’d enjoyed sipping it with him.
Saturday’s dawn brought ideal weather that continued all weekend – ideal conditions for lots of good work to be done. Daily hot 2-course breakfasts were hearty, Libby’s camp oven baked scones were amazing at morning tea, lunches were fresh and healthy and our final dinner together courtesy of Rachel proved a camp oven lamb roast with all the trimmings tasted better in the wilderness than back home – rounding out with a superb camp oven baked apple crumble with custard and a hot rum toddy to send all adults off for a good night’s sleep.
Remembering the contributions of Pat and Sue Edmondson and granddaughter Kirri Bolton, 2022.
Catering every day was made easy with simple roster arrangements that shared the load – thanks to Libby and Rachel for our brilliant evening meals with help at breakfasts and lunches from Luka, Tully, Jenna, Luke and Adam. Ballan’s 50l of drinking water looked after our needs well and everyone happily pitched in when it came to washing up after meals – 5 star teamwork!
During the 3 days on site, we completed all our objectives:
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Application of an oil-based water repellent solution – 2 coats applied (hand-brushed) to the entire exterior timber surface (the Cascade Hut HAAP recommends re-application every 3-5 years).
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Repairs and restoration of donated 1930s timber Meat Safe with doors re-aligned, new mesh fitted with a small Mountain Ash block door closer handcrafted and secured with period flat head screw for durable functionality (Luke’s work on this project was outstanding)
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Removal of collapsed Northern hitching rail and posts outside hut and replacement/re-installation of new Snowgum posts and rails replicating the original structure.
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Removal of the existing stump-supported plywood sleeping platform at Southern end with excavation and removal of loose dirt, timber debris and accumulated rubbish left behind by visitors
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Clearing of all existing earth drains and additional earthworks outside hut to improve drainage, including excavation of accumulated soil covering the flat threshold stones outside the entrance and improved drainage to prevent pooling of water on threshold bedlog and puddle on entry
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Inventory check of IAC provided shovel, stainless steel water buckets and bush saw
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Detailed sweep and clean of hut floor, fireplace and restocking of kindling and small logs
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A detailed 2026 survey within/around the hut to identify any other maintenance concerns or issues evident
Cascade Hut 2026 Work Party
We received two special NPWS visitors on Saturday morning – Campbell had arranged for NPWS head carpenter Gary McDougall and understudy Shane Burdett to join us to inspect our work and discuss future Cascade hut restoration works. Gary noted the Yellow Box posts framing the hut’s horizontal slabs (installed by IAC in 2007) were holding up well, despite a distinct 20mm rebate at the base of many where contact with soil and water has eroded the timber over the last 19 years. Gary suggested using the same proven technique we used at Tin Mines Barn to excavate around each post and insert a fin and stirrup encased in a concrete poured column below ground that’s invisible above ground – extending the life of the posts by many decades to come.
Gary and Shane also provided us all with an impromptu wood skills workshop which was very welcome. They had brought a number of Mountain Ash logs in their ute tray, along with chainsaws and traditional timber implements such as a broadaxe and adze. On invitation, Luke happily volunteered to follow Gary’s instructions on the process of creating new post for a hut so we watched every step as chainsaw, broadaxe, regular axe and adze were used to shape the perfect post section. Gary pointed out the post, slab and batten construction of Cascade Hut and answered many questions, happily sharing his detailed knowledge.
New meat safe
When we farewelled Gary and Shane after lunch, it was somewhat sorrowful as Gary confirmed he was retiring from the NPWS next month after a multi-decade career in the KNP and a long history of technical support and collaboration on Teddy’s Cascade and Tin Mines Huts work parties with IAC. I expressed gratitude and thanks to Gary on behalf of all our IAC volunteers and coordinators over the years. I wouldn’t be surprised if we worked with Gary again in future if contracted by NPWS for a specific project or technical advice and he hinted that was a possibility. In any case he leaves an enormous legacy after having worked on almost every hut in the KNP. We will miss Gary’s extensive knowledge and unfiltered conversations – he imparted a lot of knowledge to our volunteers and always entertained us with his opinions and observations over the years.
The quality and detail of the work undertaken throughout this work party surpassed my expectations and the additional tasks added to the original scope were comfortably achieved, which was only possible through the flexibility, passion and ‘can-do’ mindset of everyone in the group.
Work Party team on the job
Wherever you looked, everyone was busy with a task-at-hand, sharing a laugh, asking an opinion or an extra set of hands when needed. Lots of initiative taken and many improvements made with good judgement – you couldn’t ask for a better workforce.
Ballan once again excelled in the critical role of works supervisor – allocating and explaining tasks, ensuring proper WHS practices and support was always there when an extra set of hands or two were needed on a task. Pat often praised Ballan’s competencies as a worksite leader and his ability has been well-proven in recent years as Pat passed on this ‘baton’ to his grandson. This was met with full endorsement from myself and longstanding friends of IAC volunteer legends and technical/engineering specialists Col Wooden and Jim Purss.
Full advantage was taken to enjoy breaks with Ballan and sons fly-fishing in Cascade Creek down near the track crossing, people taking a refreshing dip-and-wash nearer the hut then soaking up the warm sun on an alpine grass tussock or exploring the rolling landscape around the hut. At Sunday’s camp set-down, Libby, Rachel and Tully took the option to walk out in advance and get some trail-miles up for bonus points. Tully even managed to scamper past his Mum and Libby to beat the vehicles back and be sitting next to the carpark, looking very fresh with a cheeky smile on his face after a 9km hike.
Following our exit, Campbell was back onsite the next afternoon to collect NPWS tools we’d arranged to leave behind and to inspect our work. He was very pleased with the outcomes and gave the work party his ‘thumbs-up’ for another successful contribution by IAC. Snowy River Huts Management Officer Marion Plum also wrote to thank our group on behalf of KHA.
Early planning has begun for 2027 and you’re invited to join in! If you’d like to experience a different dimension to resort and Lodge surroundings and see more of our unique alpine environment, email huts@iacski.com for more information.
Adam applies the good oil to Cascade Hut