Wire Installation

Adding Wire for Safety of Walkers

The final part of the installation of the planking on windy Moor was to staple wire on the surface. As this is an alpine location it is subject to ice and wet conditions that can make the boards slippery, and it can be quite windy making the situation even harder for walkers. The wire considerably reduces the risk of people falling.

The Friends of Mount Field took on the task, but the staple gun did not perform properly making the prospect of getting the work done look very difficult and slow. After some servicing the machine eventually, cam good and we also managed to obtain the use of a second stapler. It still seemed like it would be a long and slow process, but once we developed a system progress really speed up and was completed by early April 2018.

The total length of planking is 890 metres.

17 March 2018

All that remains to be done is the wiring, but it was difficult because of the failure of the stapling gun. At the best of times it was slower than expected because of the machine failing to fire. The first machine was so bad it was replaced by one borrowed, but that eventually it broke had to be repaired.

27 March 2018

It was most pleasant weather at Windy Moor, which didn’t match its name on this day. There were three of us and a very workable system was devised to make the work reasonably efficient. Basically, it was one or two of us rolling out the wire and tacking it down at intervals, whilst the other person with second stapling machine came behind finalising the stapling process. We managed about 250 metres for the day as well as Greg transferring timber from one end of the moor to the other.

28 March 2018

There were plans to return on Wednesday, but they came unstuck. I took 2 of the batteries on Tuesday to recharge and told Trevor the updated story. He indicated that he proposed heading up to lay some wiring, so with a late rush I grabbed the batteries and drove to the visitor centre to meet him.

By the time we arrived at the work site on Windy Moor it was time for lunch and after that work commenced. Despite the late start about 140 metres was stapled down. The Field stapler worked well and the borrowed one from the Huon less so, but still good enough to use. The pattern from the previous day was followed, with Trevor pinning and me following on behind stapling the loose areas.

It was a little cool at first, but the weather gradually became sunnier and warmer. Before heading back to Lake Fenton, the timber at the start of the moor was bundled ready to lift to another site by helicopter.

Approximately 200 metres of wiring remains to be done and this may be done on Tuesday next week 3^rd April. This is Trevor’s last day at work before he goes on holiday and he may help, if his injured calf is in good enough condition.

4 and 6 April

Well the weather took a short turn for the worse and the work delayed a day, The last section was done by John, our contractor, but the gas supply ran out before it was complete. A return on the next fine day, with a new gas supply saw the job finally finished.