Hut Trip

In Colorado there is a system of Huts built and run by the 10th Mountain Division Association. The first few were built in honor of solider of the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army who died in WWII. There are huts scattered all around the Colorado backcountry with routes ranging from 3 to 9 miles.

01 Trip Highlight

Last year two friends of mine and I spent a night at the Fowler/Hillard Hut south of Vail, CO. It was a 5-mile route with a 2,300-foot elevation gain, so it was pretty steep and probably the hardest thing I have ever accomplished. Afterward I was sure I would never do another.

Until this year that is. My friend Sean (went on trip with last year) and I decided to go to another hut. We started out with 3 people going and somehow it turned into a group of 10, with everyone knowing someone. The hut we chose this year was the Section House, 6.2-mile routes, and 1,131-ft. elevation gain. It took us four and a half-hours to get into the hut, however when we got there, everyone was worn out. The hut is located at the top of Boreas Pass (elevation: 11,481) with vistas for miles. The hut was originally built in 1882 to house the men who serviced the section of the railroad that ran through, however, it was renovated in 1996. Once we got there all I wanted to do was sleep next to the fire. So after a few cups of hot chocolate with butterscotch schnapps, I was good to go. Jason, however, felt the need to test out his telemark skiing capability. He had seen other people do it, so he would be fine. Turns out that he isn't the telemark pro he thought he was.

02 Colorado Rockies!

Everyone was at the hut by 6:30 pm, just in time for dinner. Jason and Jeremiah cooked up a storm on the wood burning stove... "It's 1864. There is NO propane!" It was just as much fun to make dinner as it was to eat. We were all able to sit around the big dinner table in the main room it was like we were one BIG family of 10. After dinner was eaten and all the dishes were washed (not easy without running water), there were all sorts of things to do. Some people were reading books, some just walking around discovering interesting facts about our hut's history, but most were playing cards. I have no idea what card game it was, but it involved pounding your fist on the table and turning tricks... don't ask me.

03 Our hut is the big one on the left.

In the morning Michelle and Dina made M&M pancakes with peanut butter and syrup. I was in heaven. We also found out that it was Michelle's birthday, so Jason took a thin mint Girl Scout cookie and put a match in it, and we all sang happy birthday. She was laughing so hard. Hey, it's the thought that counts.

We left the hut around 9:30 am and were driving toward Vail by 11. Jason and I had to get to Vail for the "Last Day at Vail" party on top of the mountain. My parents met us there, since they are always up for a good time. The sun and snow were pretty nice, so this weekend will not soon be forgotten.

04 Front porch

05 Come and get it!!!

06 Whole Group

07 Watch your head