purchased in 1962 by members of the Melbourne Bushwalkers who then donated it to the club. The hut was renovated and maintained by the Melbourne Bushwalkers and used throughout the winter as a base for cross-country skiing. It was well-used throughout the year for research and outdoor activities by members and by many other groups. It survived the 2003 bushfires but burnt down one year later (January 2004) in a cooking accident, while being used by non-members. The woodshed still remains. The National Parks and Wildlife Service which administers the land has refused permission to rebuild. Batty's Hut This hut burnt down in the bushfires of 2006. Cleve Cole Hut This hut on Mount Bogong was built in 1938 as a memorial to Cleve Cole who died on a ski trip on Mount Bogong. Technically, Mount Bogong is not part of the Bogong High Plains. Also on Mount Bogong are Michell Hut, on Eskdale Spur, which was rebuilt after the 2003 fires and Bivouac Hut on the Staircase Spur. Other huts in the area include Tawonga Huts, Young's Hut, Ryder's Huts, Cope Saddle Hut, Pretty Valley Hut, Edmondson Hut, Johnston's Hut, Buckety Plains Hut, Faithful's Hut, and Langford Gap Hut. Ecology Vegetation The Bogong High Plains contain a mixture of various types of vegetation. About 50% of the High Plains are heathlands, which cover some of the steeper and more wind protected areas in the high plains. The soils are typically shallow and rocky. Approximately 25% of the High Plains are grasslands, which occur in more exposed areas, on gentle slopes are typically more resistant to wind and frosts. Some of the best soils occur in wetlands, which cover about 10% of the high plains. These areas are defined as places where there is stationary water for at least one month per year. The presence of water typically leads to highly organic soils, from the decay of vegetable matter, and very little mineral matter. Snow patch herb fields occur in places where snow remains for a large portion of the summer and are very rare. Range peaks Mount Bogong, the highest mountain in Victoria, is just north of the High Plains. Technically it is not part of the high plains because it is separated from them by the Big River. There are several huts are on the mountain, the earliest of which was built following the death of a skier