The Hut, 68°28’18”South, 78°11’16”East, is temporarily moved to the sea ice near the Plough Island skiway for up to 2 months in summer, then returned back to Ace lake.
This refuge (pic below to the Right) consists of 1 Apple type Hut, and provides accommodation for 2 people. The hut is equipped with food, fuel and cooking facilities and has a list of instructions peculiar to the hut’s fittings and contents. A radio is available at this location. Ace Lake Refuge Hut (WAP AUS-NEW) is located near the north-western extremity of Long Fjord, 0.5 hours by quad from Davis Base (WAP AUS-Ø3). Under normal conditions, no point in the Vestfold Hills is further than 3 hours travel by vehicle from a refuge or the station. The refuge was established in summer 2004/05 to support research projects at Ace Lake.
Tech features: Apple huts, such as the one at Ace lake, are constructed from eight basic curved wall sections and four floor panels, with an access door and clear windowpanes. The market approach of this product is to offer a ‘rigid tent’ rather than a sophisticated accommodation module. The hut are fitted with a circular ventilation/escape hatch at the apex of the dome.
The fibreglass fabrication is designed to allow erection in the field with minimal logistical requirements for deployment, limited cold-paths for improved thermal performance, including 6mm thick fire retardant polyurethane spray foam insulation.
Apple huts have been used by the AAD since the mid-1980s.
For the above pics of Ace Lake Refuge Hut, thanks and credit to AAD (Australian Antarctic Division)