The Australian Alpine Club was founded in 1950 and is one of the oldest continually existing Alpine clubs in Australia. it was founded in 1950 by Charles Anton. Huts were constructed in the "backcountry" close to Mount Kosciuszko, including Kunama Hut, which opened for the 1953 season. A rope tow was installed on Mount Northcote at the site and opened in 1954. The site proved excellent for speed skiing, but the hut was destroyed in an avalanche, which also killed one person, in 1956.[1]