Fay Hut update July 4th 2005

85 loads went in to the new Fay Hut site using 2 bell 407 helicopters

Hello again!

The project is well on its way now. As you can see from the pictures below much has been accomplished.

On June 8-10th, 2005, 85 loads went in to the new Fay Hut site using 2 bell 407 helicopters. This was a tough 3 days for those who went to help. Loads were coming up from 7 am to 9 pm on the first day and from 8 am to 8 pm on the second day.

The foundations for the hut are now nearly complete as well as the foundations for the outhouse. The bridge from the helicopter landing area is permanently in place and the Camp is well on its way to being ready to accept 20 volunteers a week for 4 weeks. Nearly all of the trails needed are roughed in waiting for others to come and complete.

Foot bridge

The final loads to go in will be at the staging area this Thursday July the 7th ready to fly in on Friday morning along with the entire crew. Several people are also coming in to assist with the camp preparations and then walking out on Sunday.

When we arrived on the first day the new hut site was just a ghost town of tall burnt trees leaning in odd directions because their roots were not able to keep them upright anymore. By 2 pm these towering dangers we on the ground cut into lengths and cleared off to the sides.

Clearing the site

The amount of inner strength it takes to keep 2 helicopters moving all day long, when you are tired to the point of being numb, is huge. The work is very dangerous and you must keep tightly focused at all times. 1500lb loads swinging on the end of a 150’ line, in 100 kph winds from rotor wash, is not a time you can relax. These volunteers took 3 days off during their normal work week to do this knowing that they would get little sleep and no relaxation time to get this project moving. Not once did I hear people mention that they were tired. At 6 minute intervals you would again and again hear someone yell “incoming!” which meant another load was close to arriving. This went on in what seemed an endless dream. Dinner was served at 10 pm. We had lunch 3 times a day eating them on the run. When helicopters shut down to refuel the crew spent time prepping foundation holes or clearing more area to put loads on.

Felix working on foundation

I would like to take a minute and thank those who labored on even when they were past being tired on those incredibly hard 3 days in June.

In 4 days time, 20 people will give up one week of their time, to work as a team, replacing a piece of Canadian mountain history.

Many of you gave your money.
Many of you give your time.
All this you have given from your hearts.

On behalf of the ACC Facilities Portfolio
Thank you!

Bruce Hardardt

Fay Hut Reconstruction
Project Manager
The Alpine Club of Canada

Click here for more photos of the construction.

The prebuilt Fay Hut being disassembled for transport to the staging area