Starveall Hut—an “isolated barn”?

About an hour or so from Mt Starveall, 300 metres below the summit, is Starveall Hut. It sits on a small saddle overlooking Tasman Bay to the north, and Lee Valley to the south. As far as the name is concerned, I can’t help but wonder what Starveall means. An ad hoc explanation carved into the hut’s map frame isn’t that convincing.

Starveall Hut and its interior.

Right on the bushline, Starveall Hut is in a perfect location, providing shelter in bad weather, and serving as a base to climb the mountain.

The closest road access is at the Hacket on Aniseed Valley Road, 29 km from Nelson. From the Hacket it’s a six-hour tramp to Starveall Hut, a climb of almost 1100 metres.

View from Starveall Hut to the saddle between Mt Rintoul (left) and Purple Top (right).

View from Starveall Hut to Mt Rintoul Hut.

Mt Rintoul Hut is in direct view from Starveall Hut. At night, if there’s a faint light on the ridge east of Purple Top, you know that Mt Rintoul Hut is occupied (or someone left behind a big candle).

The hut is a mere seven kilometres south of Starveall Hut, yet it takes up to twelve hours along the Alpine Route to tramp there.

Northern view from Starveall Hut to Tasman Bay.

Fresh dusting of snow on Mt Starveall.

What’s in a name? Going by the above carvings it depends on whether you prefer the Middle English or Old English interpretation: isolated barn or universal hunger respectively.

What’s your interpretation of Starveall? Can you confirm either of the above meanings?

Possibly related articles:

• The Old Man and his hut
• Thousand Acre Plateau—and still counting…
• Mt Starveall—views galore!
• Ada Flat—walking on slate
• Fixed-wire Traverse—infamously famous