Newsletter #4

  Progress is rocketing forward with building the next Turk. The project has been blessed with a lot of enthusiasm from talented people. On Monday Anton and myself used the computer controlled cutter at Coronet Woodware to cut the many unusual shaped pieces of plywood (see photo above). On Tuesday Hilton, Zane, Nigel completed the foundation frame, radiused and polyurethaned the internal elements, assembled the ladder and made progress with the deck. Wednesday saw Jenny, James, Mark, Christine and David complete the bunk ladder, assemble the window frame, bench, sub floor structure and part of the toilet. The tank (thanks Jef Desbecker) arrived from RX Plastics on Thursday so we are now set for the next stage: Easter Saturday 20th April. from lunch time. 92 Centennial Ave, Arrowtown Pizza oven fired up from 3pm. Tasks to complete: Polyurethane ladder, bench and other components Trim deck and add positioning elements to foundation frame Level the foundation and accurately positioning the tank Cut into the tank (have...
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Newsletter #3

  View this email in your browser Work on the Turks has started. On Wednesday  Kent, James (sorry, I didn't workout your surnames), Glen Davis, Tyge (my son) and myself completed making the door and window jambs and got half way through making the foundation frame and the front deck. We finished the evening with some good pizza from my wood fired oven. This Monday Anton Schmitz and myself will use a CNC cutter to make all the unusual shaped pieces of plywood for the floor and bunks. The tank will arrive this week (I am hoping before before Wednesday afternoon). Tasks to achieve this week: Finish the foundation frame: add corner bracing, complete perimeter compression bracing, add tank guides. Finish the deck: screw on the decking timber (already cut to length) Build sub-floor structure Radius edges and sand bunk supports, bench and seats. Polyurethane bunk supports, bench and floor. Assemble window frame and complete door. Position and level tank. Cut openings for door...
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Newsletter #2

Newsletter #2

It is time to start building some Turks! But before I charge in I need to address a few things… By now I had hoped to be a bit further with the consent application process and have a clear green light for the way forward but as with most challenging projects it is an amber light. All the people I have discussed the various consent requirements for the Mahu Whenua Traverse with (councillors, planners, engineers) express the opinion that there shouldn’t be obstacles. However, we are still in the filling process (waiting for engineer’s report and Resource Consent information) Since we are in the planning/bureaucratic waiting game and winter is getting closer (only 11 weeks until the ski areas open) the way forward is to start making Turks. The issue is to find a strategic approach to optimise positive outcomes. This is the plan: 1.    Build another Turk at my place in Arrowtown for installation this winter. This has the following purposes: Spread...
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Newsletter #1!

Wow - Newsletter #1! Firstly, thank you for subscribing to the Mountain Turk project. It is great to work on such a fun and ambitious project and know that there are lots of keen people that want to get involved. What's been happening? Website I have been getting the website organised with content - background and history of turks, club structure and membership, and of course all about the Mahu Whenua traverse. Check it out here http://mountainturk.org.nz I plan to use the site as a bit of a forum to discuss and plan things. I'll be getting this organised over the next couple of weeks. Turk locations After many days stomping around the Harris Mountains looking for locations to install the Turks for the Mahu Whenu Traverse I'm pleased to announce considerable success. To see the primo locations I've narrowed it down to, check out http://mountainturk.org.nz/mahu-whenua-traverse/ There's a map of the full traverse here http://mountainturk.org.nz/mahu-whenua-map/ Club structure I've outlined my initial concepts for how the club will be structured and...
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