Zellerhiitte hut fund report

by Janet Britnell, Hut Fund Representative

The Zellerhutte (1571m) in the Totes Gebirge, Upper Austria, is a Category I hut, belonging to the local section Alpenverein TK Windischgarsten, with about 1700 members.

The hut sits on the NW side of the Warscheneck (2388m), on the traditional route to the summit, in an unspoilt larch forest on land leased from the federal forest until at least 2041. It is also on the Kalkalpenweg and on a variant of the E4 long-distance path. The hut can be reached via a continuous climb from the Vorderstoder Kaserei bus stop in the valley.

The original hut was built in 1901 by Zeller, a local pharmacist; it was only 11m x 6m with an E-W roof ridge. In 1928, the hut was extended on both flanks and given a new roof with a N-S ridge. In 1976 it was touch and go whether the hut would survive, the choice being to abandon the hut or build a Materialsei/bahn (MSB). Fortunately, the MSB lobby won! In 1978 - 80 the Michelstube, named after the chairman at the time, was added on the north side. In 2004 solar panels and a Combined Heat and Power Generator (CHPG) were installed.

After Eugen Schmid became chairman in 2010, he and the hut team started a programme of modernisation to meet 21st century building and environmental standards while maintaining the style and atmosphere of a traditional mountain hut. In 2012 they installed a fully biological sewage treatment plant, followed by the expansion and modernisation of the sanitary facilities in 2013 and 2014.

The kitchen did not meet modern standards; for one thing the ceiling was far too low. In 2018 a small digger was delivered by helicopter, and with the help of 62 volunteers, the floors of the kitchen and the adjacent Stube were dug out, then the rooms were sympathetically refurbished and re-equipped. A porch was built over the main entrance and foundations were dug for the expansion of the western terrace. In 2019 the new western terrace was built, giving splendid views of the Spitzmauer (2446m), and Grol3er Priel (2515m), the highest mountain in the area.

From 2018 treated wastewater was used for general purposes, but drinking water was still supplied to the hut via the MSB. In 2020, ground to the north of the hut forecourt was dug out for the installation of two 20,000litre tanks to collect rainwater from the roof. Then the forecourt was extended to the north, over the tanks, to make the eastern terrace with views of the Sengsengebirge to the NW. The rainwater is treated with UV and carbon filtered and now provides all the water for the hut, including drinking water. Also in 2020, the old generator was replaced by a more eco-friendly rapeseed oil CHPG. In 2021 the old battery failed and was replaced with a new, large lithium-ion battery pack, with extra storage capacity in anticipation of a big increase in the number of PV panels on the roof, scheduled for 2023.

In 2022 the Zellerhutte was awarded the environmental seal of approval with a glowing report, meeting 70 of the 75 possible requirements (min requirement is 25). The high degree of cooperation between the section and the tenants, Theresia Panholzer and Wolfgang Pebock, was praised, as was the state-of-the-art technology that the tenants deploy very competently, and the delicious, very balanced, regional, seasonal, homemade food and drink.

With the help of more than 50 volunteers from the section, the "last anticipated construction project" at the Zellerhutte was completed this spring, 2023. The main hut was re-roofed and eastern and western dormer windows added, giving more height and light to the upper storey, including the existing, rather poky Matratzenlager, internal staircase and staff accommodation, all of which were also refurbished. Three new 2-bed rooms were built over the existing single storey workshop and store on the southern side of the hut forecourt. In addition, a new outside, covered staircase and landing were built as the access to the guest sleeping areas, leaving the internal staircase for the tenants and staff. Finally, almost every bit of roof was covered with PV-panels.

By early 2023, the cost estimate for the project had risen to more than €600K. However, as a very well-prepared project it was selected and successfully submitted for LE-funding which is financed jointly by the EU and the Austrian Government and allocated directly to specific hut projects. It can cover as much as 90% of the cost of the project so the section "only" has to find about €60K to cover its share of the 2023 phase of the hut renovation. However, the earlier improvements between 2012 and 2022 cost about €1.5M. In addition to many hours of voluntary labour, the section had to fund about 33% of this themselves, despite grants from the Alpenverein (AV), the Landesverband and the Upper Austrian Tourist Board. The AAC(UK) Board agreed to make a Hut Fund donation of €10K towards the considerable cost of all the recent improvements.

The hut opening event took place on the 5 August in (rainy) weather reminiscent of that found in Wales or the Lake District. In spite of the rain, about 40 people made it up to the hut - including the local priest, a brass band and a pair of walkers with their dog - to take part in the celebrations. Kate Isaak and Walfried Raab represented the AAC(UK) and were made to feel extremely welcome at what felt like a close family occasion. The contribution from the AAC(UK) Hut Fund was repeatedly and gratefully acknowledged and will be noted on a commemorative plaque that will be placed at the hut.

Our Hut Fund donations are very much appreciated by both the Hauptverein and the sections receiving them. Please keep the donations coming in.

Very happy faces in a photo taken at the hut during the opening ceremony. From left to right: Giesela Waibel (co-vice chairperson of the section), Heinz Muhlbacher (key member of the renovation team, and father of the owner of the construction company), Kate Isaak and Walfried Raab (AAC(UK)), Theresia Panholze and Wolfgang Peböck (hut tenants), Eugen Schmid (Sektion TK Windischgarsten chairperson), Georg Unterberger (Head of Hauptverein Huts and Paths Department). Photo by Thomas Waibel.

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