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West Coast Alpine Club members outside the first Carroll Hut in the winter of 1940.
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DescriptionBob McKerrow ...The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back.
Building the Carroll Hut
Within a year of the club being established in May 1936 it was decided to help the Arthurs Pass National Park Board by building a hut on the Kelly Range. The hut would facilitate both ski-ing and tramping and was to be open for all to use. Members got busy from September 1937 with regular work parties toiling up and down the hill carrying timber for the hut framing and iron for the roof. No helicopters in those days!
Then in February 1938 one of the Club’s popular young members Captain, Patrick Carroll, was killed in a mountaineering accident. As he had put much time and energy into the hut project it was decided to name the hut after him and club members worked on through the winters of both 1938 and ’39 to finish the hut. A brass plaque was put in the hut in his memory and it was duly opened as the Carroll Hut” on the 21st November 1939.
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Unfortunately, after many years use, the hut burned down, badly damaging the memorial plaque, on July 26th 1980. However the Park Board saw merit in a replacement, and soon plans were under way for a re-build with funding supplied by the Hamilton family. A new plaque commemorating both their son Christopher, and Patrick Carroll, was put in the new hut which was opened on 28th March 1981. This hut did not have a fireplace and was not as popular as the previous one, being a bit of an “ice-box.”
In 2004 the Department of Conservation decided to give the second hut a major overhaul, putting in new foundations, exterior cladding and interior lining, and new bunks. Having only the information about the Club’s part in the early history of the hut, DoC also asked WCAC for more information about Patrick Carroll, his role in the building of the hut and for any photographs the Club had of the first hut.
The upgrade complete, DOC then released a news item and photograph (below) of the hut in the Greymouth Evening Star on September 9th 2004. The article included information about the upgrade, WCAC’s role in the building of the first hut and about the ski-tow set up by Club members on the Kelly Range in the 1950’s. This is taken from the West Coast Alpine .
Reference:Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19380727-58-6 Date of Photo1940Map[1] External LinkAuckland LibrariesWest Coast Alpine ClubContributorHeather Newby
Building the Carroll Hut
Within a year of the club being established in May 1936 it was decided to help the Arthurs Pass National Park Board by building a hut on the Kelly Range. The hut would facilitate both ski-ing and tramping and was to be open for all to use. Members got busy from September 1937 with regular work parties toiling up and down the hill carrying timber for the hut framing and iron for the roof. No helicopters in those days!
Then in February 1938 one of the Club’s popular young members Captain, Patrick Carroll, was killed in a mountaineering accident. As he had put much time and energy into the hut project it was decided to name the hut after him and club members worked on through the winters of both 1938 and ’39 to finish the hut. A brass plaque was put in the hut in his memory and it was duly opened as the Carroll Hut” on the 21st November 1939.
.
Unfortunately, after many years use, the hut burned down, badly damaging the memorial plaque, on July 26th 1980. However the Park Board saw merit in a replacement, and soon plans were under way for a re-build with funding supplied by the Hamilton family. A new plaque commemorating both their son Christopher, and Patrick Carroll, was put in the new hut which was opened on 28th March 1981. This hut did not have a fireplace and was not as popular as the previous one, being a bit of an “ice-box.”
In 2004 the Department of Conservation decided to give the second hut a major overhaul, putting in new foundations, exterior cladding and interior lining, and new bunks. Having only the information about the Club’s part in the early history of the hut, DoC also asked WCAC for more information about Patrick Carroll, his role in the building of the hut and for any photographs the Club had of the first hut.
The upgrade complete, DOC then released a news item and photograph (below) of the hut in the Greymouth Evening Star on September 9th 2004. The article included information about the upgrade, WCAC’s role in the building of the first hut and about the ski-tow set up by Club members on the Kelly Range in the 1950’s. This is taken from the West Coast Alpine .
Reference:Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19380727-58-6 Date of Photo1940Map[1] External LinkAuckland LibrariesWest Coast Alpine ClubContributorHeather Newby
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Location (city or town)Kelly RangeArthurs PassLandmark (Place)The Carroll HutOrganisation (eg business)West Coast Alpine ClubEventBuilding the Carroll Hut.
Category Information
Category Tagmountaineering
From Facebook
Date Created23rd September 2019CommentsGlenn Johnston I've done a write up about this hut in the past and used the same Alpine Club photo. I visited this hut in the 70's and the replacement one in subsequent decades. Few people know there were huts in this area as early as 1869 associated with quartz mining for gold and that the benched tracks from the Taipo and Kelly's Creek to access the range were constructed for mining and prospecting purposes. I've rellocated various drives, shafts and pits and building sites not that far from Carroll Hut.
PaulAnthony Teens I think that is Dennis Pfahlert with black hat and possibly up at temple basin
James Washer Old Carroll hut on Kelly range maybe?
Joy Thomas Does anyone have any information on why it is called Carroll’s hut ?Heather Newby in February 1938 one of the Club’s popular young members Captain, Patrick Carroll, was killed in a mountaineering accident. As he had put much time and energy into the hut project it was decided to name the hut after himBob Jamieson My bet is Temple Basin.
Bob McKerrow Carroll Hut. I will check Ralph Warbuton's book Glacier Country which has details of the hut.
Cheryl Johnston Krissy Mitchell-Scott Brownes would know?
Bob McKerrow The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back
Building the Carroll Hut…See More
Manage
The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back - West Coast Alpine Club, New Zealand
WESTCOASTALPINECLUB.ORG.NZ
The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back - West Coast Alpine Club, New…
The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back - West Coast Alpine Club, New Zealand
Heather Newby thanks for the info... very interesting
Joy Thomas Bob McKerrow I’m very interested in the Carroll name as my Grandfather and grandmother spent a few years in Greymouth , my father was born there his name being Patrick Carroll and I have a brother , you guessed it Christopher Carroll , have to be related one would think Grant Ellingford Thanks for the info
Bob McKerrow Caption for the photo: Club members outside the first Carroll Hut in the winter of 1940.
Don Pearson Went on a trip with WCAC up to Carroll Hut during the winter of 1945,lots of snow,was quite an experience,but great days out.Don Pearson Talking about WCAC,I have some large photos taken of myself and other members when on a trip to the Franz Josef Glacier in 1947.If interested let me know.
Brian Gillooly Went up there a lot as a WCAC member in1955 56 57 great place with the little rope tow. Always impressed by the view from the Toilet !! Also how much area we could light up at night with a tilley lamp, and ski off the tow and round the hut.
Brian Gillooly Went up there a lot as a WCAC member in1955 56 57 great place with the little rope tow. Always impressed by the view from the Toilet !! Also how much area we could light up at night with a tilley lamp, and ski off the tow and round the hut.
David Hall Many a night spent up there in the 1960's with the Greymouth Venturers and others. Railcar dropped us off at Kellys Creek then hike uphill at night carrying our wooden ski's. Sunday night back to Otira to sample the Refreshment Rooms then Railcar home.
PaulAnthony Teens I think that is Dennis Pfahlert with black hat and possibly up at temple basin
James Washer Old Carroll hut on Kelly range maybe?
Joy Thomas Does anyone have any information on why it is called Carroll’s hut ?Heather Newby in February 1938 one of the Club’s popular young members Captain, Patrick Carroll, was killed in a mountaineering accident. As he had put much time and energy into the hut project it was decided to name the hut after himBob Jamieson My bet is Temple Basin.
Bob McKerrow Carroll Hut. I will check Ralph Warbuton's book Glacier Country which has details of the hut.
Cheryl Johnston Krissy Mitchell-Scott Brownes would know?
Bob McKerrow The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back
Building the Carroll Hut…See More
Manage
The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back - West Coast Alpine Club, New Zealand
WESTCOASTALPINECLUB.ORG.NZ
The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back - West Coast Alpine Club, New…
The West Coast Alpine Club – Looking Back - West Coast Alpine Club, New Zealand
Heather Newby thanks for the info... very interesting
Joy Thomas Bob McKerrow I’m very interested in the Carroll name as my Grandfather and grandmother spent a few years in Greymouth , my father was born there his name being Patrick Carroll and I have a brother , you guessed it Christopher Carroll , have to be related one would think Grant Ellingford Thanks for the info
Bob McKerrow Caption for the photo: Club members outside the first Carroll Hut in the winter of 1940.
Don Pearson Went on a trip with WCAC up to Carroll Hut during the winter of 1945,lots of snow,was quite an experience,but great days out.Don Pearson Talking about WCAC,I have some large photos taken of myself and other members when on a trip to the Franz Josef Glacier in 1947.If interested let me know.
Brian Gillooly Went up there a lot as a WCAC member in1955 56 57 great place with the little rope tow. Always impressed by the view from the Toilet !! Also how much area we could light up at night with a tilley lamp, and ski off the tow and round the hut.
Brian Gillooly Went up there a lot as a WCAC member in1955 56 57 great place with the little rope tow. Always impressed by the view from the Toilet !! Also how much area we could light up at night with a tilley lamp, and ski off the tow and round the hut.
David Hall Many a night spent up there in the 1960's with the Greymouth Venturers and others. Railcar dropped us off at Kellys Creek then hike uphill at night carrying our wooden ski's. Sunday night back to Otira to sample the Refreshment Rooms then Railcar home.
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West Coast New Zealand History (26th Sep 2019). West Coast Alpine Club members outside the first Carroll Hut in the winter of 1940.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 27th Apr 2026 21:10, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/26166