the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX), which investigates aspects of global climate change. It is trying to predict the future impacts of temperature increases. Bushfires This area is prone to bushfires because of the large amount of native forest. The 2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires devastated much of the areas of forest. Many well-known huts were destroyed. More recently the area was again threatened during the 2006-07 Australian bushfire season but due to favourable weather, damage appears to be minimal in comparison. Huts Alpine huts in the area provide accommodation for people out in the winter ski touring and those interested in hiking or other activities in the summertime. There are tens of huts in this area, each different and equipped for different purposes. They were first built by European pastoralists moving in from NSW in the 1830s. They are no longer used by pastoralists. Many are run by ski clubs but some are not regularly used or maintained at all. Wallace's Hut This is the oldest on the high plains. Originally built in 1889 like most of the huts has been extended since. It has no modern facilities and so is not used for accommodation. It measures by . Bogong Rover Chalet This was the first lodge developed in the area, before the creation of the ski resorts in Australia. It was started in 1938 by Rover Scouts from Victoria. It has the best facilities of any hut or lodge outside of a resort in Australia, with full comforts and amenities for 35 people. It has been expanded and refurbished since it was built. It uses solar power, gas, wood heating and runs its own electricity generators. It has a full kitchen, showers and runs 13 winter weeks for Rovers and Venturer Scouts. Cope Hut This hut was built by the Ski Club of Victoria in 1929. Fitzgerald Hut This was one of the older huts. It was accidentally burnt down by a school group in 1991 and rebuilt in 1993. Roper Hut This was burnt down in the bushfire of 2003 and rebuilt in 2008. Wilkinson Lodge Affectionately known as Wilky, this hut was built by the State Electricity Commission as a hydrological survey hut prior to the construction of the Kiewa Hydroelectric Scheme. The hut was later sold to a ski club but this sale never included title to the land on which it sat. The hut was