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Camp Stream Hut is a historic hut found nestled in a shallow valley near Camp Stream at just over 1200m. Originally used as a musterers hut, the current structure is the second on this site, replacing an earlier hut built in 1898 that was destroyed by fire. The corrugated iron from the original hut was salvaged and repurposed in the construction of the present hut. Maintained by the Mackenzie Alpine Trust and retains a vast amount of character and always has great stocks of firewood.
Due to the hut having such a large amount of character and history I had wanted to paint this scene for many years. I visited the hut many times, and came to the conclusion the sun had to be just so and there had to be snow around as the scene was very brown. I ended up biking, hiking and running through meltwater and frozen sludge one afternoon to study this scene. As I left on dusk a lone hiker arrived at the hut commenting on the quiet evening and the spectacular star show. With solidly frozen feet I made my way out passing a few deer silhouetted against the ridge, a magical clear night, although very cold.
Roundhill and the Two Thumb Range stretch out behind the hut in this scene with the rolling tussock hills caressing the hut. I really like how the snow hugs one side of the range and along the ridge, also the snow patches around the hut. To complete the scene is the stack of firewood to keep the occupant/s warm that night.
Available as a limited edition art print
Spot the difference! Layering the tussock in the Lake Onlsow painting, as you can see each strand is made up of many multi-coloured layers.
Notice how the layers of the tussocks have to entwine? It makes for slow work but the final effect is fabulous. This is the second painting from this magical evening at Lake Onslow.
Arriving late in the afternoon...
Hidden up the Mistake River at the nor-western end of Lake Tekapo you will find Middle Gorge Hut. It is a cosy, well maintained little 6 bunk hut surrounded by steep peaks and tussock fields. The Hazard Range and Hall Range tower on each side of the valley with Mt Radove 2430m at the head of the valley. Due to the northern aspect the sun streams in from the head of the valley and bakes the valley floor...
