There are a series of huts all through the rockies that were built by the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in the 30's. These huts have now been refurbished or totally rebuilt and are available for rental.
I was invited to join a hut trip with 12 other people. I had to rent skinning equipment (cross country set up with "skins" that can be attached to the botton so you can ski uphill). We had a four mile hike at dusk which was incredible. Several people in the group were avalanche trained which is a neccesity in the back country. We were all wearing avalanche locator becons and had to be very cautious. At this section we went across one by one because the slope looked very unstable.
We made it up incident free...however, on the way back down the next day, this exact section gave way in the night. The entire trail you see us going across here was covered with a 50 foot long 30 ft high slide. Crazy!!!! The hut was amazing. Basically a log cabin mansion in the middle of nowhere. It had battery powered lights that were charged from solar panels. It had wood burning stoves for heat, beds for 12, propane stove, all needed utensils, and a chemical free outhouse.
Everyone hiked something up from wine to cheese and crackers. We made a huge dinner and stayed up all night playing games. I was renting a snowboard so much I decided to just break down and get my own stuff. I can now ski with skiers and snowboard with snowboarders...aren't I just the best host. My college roommate Chris Lodge (and the father of my godson) came out for a long weekend and we hit the slopes. Unfortunately after two days Chris was unable to walk. He became a frequent flyer with the chair message people.
Love those weekend warriors. We had an unseasonably warm day, so I took the doors off the Jeep and did some exploring. The winter vehicle Aspen style. A $120,000 Porsche 911 Turbo with a ski rack. Most people buy these and drive them when the temp is between 72 and 74, on sundays, for less than 10 miles, only if the sun is out. |
