We report regularly on donations made by AAC(UK) to various hut improvement projects. These are only possible through the generosity of our members in donating to the Hut Fund. Here, we provide an update on three projects which have benefited from our contributions. As these reports show, our Hut Fund donations are much appreciated. Thank you for donating to the fund, and please keep the donations coming in.

Franz-Fischer-Hütte Summer 2022 update

by Mike Garrett

In 2010 the small Viennese section that built the Franz-Fischer-Hütte disbanded. This Kategorie 1 hut at 2020m is an important link in the Zentralalpenweg, so the Alpenverein hoped Sektion Lungau, a small local section, would take it over. However, the hut was in poor condition and needed to be replaced and the section did not have the funds needed to unlock the grants to pay for replacement. The promise of an AAC(UK) Hut Fund donation of €80,000 solved this. In 2013 the hut was rebuilt from its foundations upwards (see NL issue 200). Without our donation, the hut might have been lost.

The hut is proving to be very popular, due partly to its “Umweltgütesiegel” (eco-label) status and its totally meat-free menu. However, it is dependent on hydro power for electricity, and later in the season the supply becomes too restricted for the demands of the kitchen as described in NL issue 233. Hence the electrical system was supplemented in time for the summer 2022 season. Solar PV panels on the hut roof were linked to batteries and associated inverters. This provides additional electrical power when needed, up to 15kW peak. The AAC(UK) Hut Fund gave €15,000 to pay the section’s share of the cost.

It is hardly a surprise that both Sektion Lungau and the hut tenants have a positive view of AAC(UK). Accordingly, I was invited to visit the hut in summer 2022 to view the new electrical installation and the many other improvements made to the hut recently. I stayed for one night and was given access to all nonpublic areas. Key officers from the section came up to the hut specially to brief me. I came away well impressed. The hut is a success, and AAC(UK)’s donations were certainly worthwhile.

Peter-Wiechenthaler-Hütte

Official Opening of the extended and renovated hut

by Janet Britnell, Hut Fund Representative

AAC(UK) made a large Hut Fund donation to Sektion Saalfelden in 2019 towards the cost of a big extension project at the Peter-Wiechenthaler-Hütte (see NL issues 226, 228). In October 2022, five AAC(UK) members, en route to the ÖAV Hauptversammlung, joined members of S. Saalfelden for the re-dedication and celebration of the hut.

From the valley, approaching the hut from the SE, nothing appears to have changed since the hut was last extended in 1972early doubled in depth South to North since 2019, and a small extension on the Western side has been replaced with a much larger extension supported by the newly extended cellar, it is still a traditional shingle-clad mountain hut. However, inside the hut has been sympathetically and functionally transformed to meet 21st century standards and regulations. The central staircase has been removed allowing the kitchen to be enlarged and to gain easy access to the dining areas in the original Gaststube and the new western extension. Doors at the back of the Gaststube open onto the new wide staircase in the northern extension, leading down to the upgraded facilities and utility rooms in the cellar and to the rear exit, or up to the new staff, and refurbished overnight guest, accommodation.

The official programme consisted of a plate throwing contest on Saturday afternoon, followed by an informal dinner, and speeches. On Sunday morning people gathered at a viewpoint for a Bergmesse and the re-dedication of the hut, followed by lunch and more speeches. One point that was made quite clearly to us, both formally and informally several times, was just how important our hut fund donation had been in ensuring that the project went ahead in late 2019.

Diana Rayner, Janet Britnell, Nigel Phipps at the P-W-H
Photo by Anon

Badener Hütte – update

by Janet Britnell

In addition to the waste-water project (NL issue 236), in June 2022 members of Section Baden bei Wien replaced the shutters on the hut windows, costing another €7K despite the volunteer labour. The earliest the section can hope to get any reimbursement from the central Alpenverein pot for the work done in 2022 is Spring 2023 and for the waste-water project 50% of the funding could be delayed indefinitely. After the 2022 Winter Newsletter went to press, the Board agreed to increase the Hut Fund donation for the Badener Hütte to €15K. On receiving the donation in December 2022, Georg Kaiser, Chairman of Sektion Baden bei Wien wrote “Many, many, many thanks for this news! That is – as we say in Austria – ‘like Christmas and Easter at one time’.”

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