Kelly hut or Fitzgerald hut water supply?

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Which hut on the BHP has better access to water in Green season : Kelly hut or Fitzgerald hut ?.

[Snowzone]

Fitzgerald Hut has a creek that flows well nearby. I cannot remember if there is a water source near Kelly's as I have never looked.

[Xplora]

The water is closer at Kelly's. Just follow the 107 around the first bend and you come to a small creek. I have never found water close to Fitz's hut but then a again I have never had the need to go searching for it while there. The aqueduct is down the gully a bit. Perhaps Snowzone could elaborate and I will have a look next time I am there. It would be good to have water there as Kelly's hut is pretty manky.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

If you had to choose between the two for a campsite would you choose Fitzgerald's hut ? I am looking at doing a hike in the coming green season ,Most Probably in Jan. from Howman's gap to Roper's hut via Spion Kopje . The next day might be a short day to possibly Kelly / Fitzgerald hut . The third day could be to Mt. Cope car park.I foresee a car shuttle with one car at each end.

[Xplora]

Fitz's hut is much better but you really should not need the hut in summer. I'll make it a point to search for water at Fitz's once the snow has gone or even before if I get a chance. There is a creek line on the map not far to the west. I always thought it a bit strange that George Fitzgerald built a hut without a water supply close by so the odds are there is some and I have just not gone far enough afield to find it. I have never camped there but I have had Christmas lunch. The toilet at Fitz's is better than Kelly's as well. The door at Kelly's is a bit close to the forehead when closed and you need to take a head torch during the day. Camping around the hut at both is nice though. They are so close to each other that you could go to both and make a decision.

[gmac]

Agree with Xplora Fitz's would be the choice. We were there Jan 2015 with a group and enjoyed the large open space. Water was available located to the west of the hut. As you come down towards the hut go to the right of the hut across the open area and from memory in the greener section of grass you should find a gutter with water flowing. And yes watch the head as you enter the hut.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

The plan is to camp near the hut. I don't use the huts that much in green season whereas in White season they are life savers!..We are heading up to snow camp near Edmondson's hut this weekend in snow shoes but I doubt we will have time to visit Kelly's hut on the way back down Watchbed creek .

[Snowzone]

The water is closer at Kelly's. Just follow the 107 around the first bend and you come to a small creek. I have never found water close to Fitz's hut but then a again I have never had the need to go searching for it while there. The aqueduct is down the gully a bit. Perhaps Snowzone could elaborate and I will have a look next time I am there. It would be good to have water there as Kelly's hut is pretty manky.

Yes there is a small stream to the west of the hut that is usually running. Most people follow a track south downhill to collect water lower down but I have never found this necessary.

[Xplora]

Thanks SZ. I will check it out as this question is asked often enough and I should know for my own sake. We have a preferred camp area not too far away (not telling anyone as it would get crowded) where water is plentiful but have thought of a winter camp at the hut. Running water is better than melting snow.

[neilmny]

The plan is to camp near the hut. I don't use the huts that much in green season whereas in White season they are life savers!..We are heading up to snow camp near Edmondson's hut this weekend in snow shoes but I doubt we will have time to visit Kelly's hut on the way back down Watchbed creek .

I think you might be thinking of Johnstons Hut which is about 1.8km as the crow flies PCV, Kelly Hut is a lot further off and about 6.5 km from Edmondsons as the crow flies.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

I know exactly where Johnston's hut is. Ditto for Ed. hut. I have been to both of them. Johnston's hut requires an advance booking with a particular ski club whereas Ed. hut does not.

[neilmny]

I know exactly where Johnston's hut is. Ditto for Ed. hut. I have been to both of them. Johnston's hut requires an advance booking with a particular ski club whereas Ed. hut does not.

You mentioned available time so I was thinking of the side trip on the way back out with regard to how far off your return track Kelly Hut takes you when on the way to Watchbed Creek.
At Kelly Hut you end up further from Watchbed Creek than you are at Edmonsons Hut. That's why I thought you might be thinking a side trip to Johnstons and not suggesting you don't know where you are.

[Scout1920]

I just visited both on Dec 21st. Both have water nearby.
Fitzgerald: as you walk towards the hut from the ridge, there is a very large tree to the right of the hut. Under the overhanging branch is a faint path that will lead you to water in 2 minutes.
Kelly: I found a sufficient water supply right at the beginning of Track 107, though imagine this will dry up over summer. The creek is 4 minutes further down the track.

In terms of which hut is better:
- Fitzgerald is the nicer hut, but Kelly is perfectly adequate
- Kelly is more sheltered and, IMO, prettier
- The toilet at Fitzgerald is newer but is plastic and was manky and covered in insects. Kelly's is timber and was much cleaner and more inviting.

[Xplora]

I just visited both on Dec 21st. Both have water nearby.
Fitzgerald: as you walk towards the hut from the ridge, there is a very large tree to the right of the hut. Under the overhanging branch is a faint path that will lead you to water in 2 minutes.
Kelly: I found a sufficient water supply right at the beginning of Track 107, though imagine this will dry up over summer. The creek is 4 minutes further down the track.

In terms of which hut is better:
- Fitzgerald is the nicer hut, but Kelly is perfectly adequate
- Kelly is more sheltered and, IMO, prettier
- The toilet at Fitzgerald is newer but is plastic and was manky and covered in insects. Kelly's is timber and was much cleaner and more inviting.

Both of the water points mentioned have reliability issues in dry summers. There has been some good rain lately on BHP so they will be running for now. I agree that Kellys is a nicer location but find it interesting that you like that hut more than Fitz's. It is in need of some work. The hut is a relocated SEC hut and will probably fall down in the not too distant future. The Kelly family in Omeo seem to have little regard for its upkeep now and I doubt it is a priority for Parks or the Hut Association. Your comment on the toilet is also interesting also. Not sure if you used it or just had a peak inside. When sitting on the toilet at Kellys the door almost touches your nose unless you sit up straight.

Anyway, thanks for your input and welcome to the forum.

[Scout1920]

Sorry, I should have been clearer. The site at Kelly's is prettier, the hut definitely isn't!
The toilet at Fitzgerald was so gross I chose not to use it. Was by myself at Kelly's so didn't worry about the door
Yes, it was very wet, track was boggy in many places.

Last edited by Scout1920 on Tue 24 Dec, 2024 8:47 am, edited 1 time in total.

[paidal_chalne_vala]

Kelly's hut is decrepid.
The hut site is more sheltered. Water is not far away.
Fitzgerald's hut was rebuilt some years ago. Water points are also nearby .
One is down the hill from Fitzgerald's hut in a stream and another is a spring across the fall line in the opposite direction from
the pit loo.
Some signage in the area has been replaced . I saw that last time
I skied out to both huts in one day from Johnston's hut in July 2023 .

[north-north-west]

The one time I checked on Kelly's, part of a window or wall was leaking so badly there was at least six inches of snow on the floor below it. Fitzgerald's is a palace in comparison.

[Xplora]

The one time I checked on Kelly's, part of a window or wall was leaking so badly there was at least six inches of snow on the floor below it. Fitzgerald's is a palace in comparison.

Fitz's still gets some snow come through in a gap above the door and it is a very cold hut but definitely a palace in comparison. The draft flows right down the chimney when the wind blows and the fireplace needs some work. PV had plans to put a slow combustion heater in but that was objected to by some. It would mean firewood would have to be cut smaller and there is never a sharp saw there but that was not the reasoning behind the objection. Another story. The toilet there has suffered over the years and being just a bit further out of the way it does not get the attention it needs. The seat was broken for quite a while. The timber seat at Kellys is quite durable but it may not be as clean as you think. Timber holds bacteria well.