How to Articles – Tundra Hut

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024How to Articles

Elevate Your Escape: The Essential Packing Guide for a Summer and Fall Tundra Hut Trip

From Hoodies to Hiking Boots: Packing Smart for a Mountain Cabin Vacation

Staying at the Tundra Hut during the summer and fall months is a beautiful experience. With the ability to drive up to the hut, I have a different packing list then when I am hiking during the winter months. This post is all about what I take with me so I can fully enjoy the wilderness and the hut.

The season that you can drive to the hut is typically mid June through October although it really depends on the snow storms of the season, sometimes the road is impassable early on the season or can be open into November!

There are lots of essentials up at the hut for your stay like firewood, toilet paper, soap and hand sanitizer, paper towels and more, but there are still items that you will want to bring up to make your stay unforgettable.

Necessities on the Packing List

Water – I like to bring a jug of drinking water with me to the hut. There are some rain barrels up at the hut, but the water isn’t filtered or guaranteed so I typically just use that water for washing dishes.

Cooler –I bring up a dependable cooler to keep all my perishable food and beverages nice and cold.

Water Bottle – The hut is at a high elevation of 11,600 feet so keeping hydrated is very important. I bring at least one or two 1-liter water bottle that I can take with me everywhere to drink water and fluids.

Food – There is a stovetop and oven at the hut so I like to make some tasty meals at the hut cooking a hot breakfast and dinner like breakfast burritos and pasta with garlic bread. For lunches, I typically bring up the fixings for sandwiches. Don’t forget the snacks for your outdoor activities!

Clothes – Layers and raingear! The nights can get quite cold up in the mountains and the days quite hot so it is all about having different layers to put on. A warm jacket for the evenings and a T-Shirt for the day when the sun is out. During the summer, you get afternoon thunderstorms quite regularly so bring some rain gear if you are going to be out then.

Sun Protection – At such a high altitude, the sun can be intense! Wear that sunscreen! I also always bring a hat, love wearing a sun hoody that has SPF, and sport my favorite pair of sunglasses.

Sleeping Gear – The hut has mattresses and pillows but you need to bring your own sleeping gear. I usually bring up a sleeping bag, or if you want to be extra comfortable, you can bring sheets and blankets

Shoes – I love having a pair of hut slippers that you can wear in the hut. Sometimes your shoes or hiking boots are muddy or wet and wearing some cozy slippers indoors is fabulous while you dry your shoes out in front of the fire

Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste and your other essentials

Extras on the Packing List

Bluetooth Speaker – Gotta listen to the tunes while up at the hut!

Headlamp – A moonlight stroll at night to see the stars is always a highlight for me, bring a headlamp for emergencies and for being outside at night.

Gear for outdoor activities – Depending on what you are wanting to do at the hut, bring gear for it, whether it is hiking, trail running, off-roading, mountain biking or just exploring.

Earplugs – it is always smart if you have a snorer in the group!

Phone Charger – There are plugs up at the hut to charge your phone and other electronics

Gloves – I always forget in the summer but your hands can get cold in the fast-changing weather in the mountains. I bring some light gloves to keep my hands happy.

The warm months are all about exploring and being outside for me, enjoying sitting outside on the deck, and spending time with friends and family. Come experience the best the mountains have to offer up at the Tundra hut.

October 23, 2023March 11, 2024How to Articles, Winter

Planning Your Backcountry Ski Hut Adventure

The call of the Colorado Rockies in winter is irresistible to any outdoor enthusiast. The promise of untouched powder, serene mountain landscapes, and a cozy hut perched in the backcountry is an adventure waiting to be had. If you’re ready to embark on a backcountry ski hut trip, here is a guide that will help you plan an unforgettable experience in the snow-covered wonderland.

Choosing the Right Dates

Picking the perfect time for your backcountry adventure is the first step to success. Here’s what to consider:

Snow Conditions: Decide what type of snow you are looking to ski. Are you searching for that unbelievable champagne powder? Or are you yearning for some steep ski lines once the snowpack is more stable? The best months for skiing at the Tundra Hut are January – June.
Availability: Make sure your preferred hut has availability for your desired dates. Plan well in advance, especially if you have a specific time frame in mind.
Group Size: Are you going with friends or family? Make sure your group’s availability aligns with the dates you choose.

Assign Responsibility

Have a group leader that is responsible for the trip but that doesn’t mean that they need to do everything, we recommend designated the following tasks to other folks so everyone is involved!

Trip Lead: In charge of the trip and making sure everyone understands when, where, and how they are getting there. The trip lead is responsible for making sure everyone signs their waivers!

Provisioning Lead: In charge of coordinating group meals, assigning who is grocery shopping and bringing the food to the hut. Eating some good food at the hut makes the trip even more special

Weather and Avalanche Lead: In charge of monitoring the weather and avalanche conditions for the trip. Everyone should be aware of both of these factors, but this lead should print out the forecasts and be able to report to everyone on the conditions

Packing Essentials

The right gear can make or break your hut trip. Here’s a checklist of must-haves:

Avalanche Safety Equipment: This includes a beacon, probe, and shovel. Never venture into the backcountry without them.
Layered Clothing: Dressing in layers is essential. Opt for moisture-wicking base layers, warm insulating layers, and a waterproof, breathable outer layer.
Backcountry Skis or Splitboard: Choose the right equipment based on your skill level and preference.
Food: Plan your meals and pack lightweight, high-energy food. The hut has cooking and eating utensils so you don’t need these
Sleeping Bag: Ensure you have a warm and comfortable sleeping setup.
Navigation Tools: Carry a map, compass, and GPS device, and know how to use them.

We have a whole separate blog post on packing, you can find this here

Navigation Tips

Navigating to your hut is part of the adventure. Here’s how to make it as smooth as possible:

Study the Route: Before you embark, familiarize yourself with the route, its elevation gain, and landmarks.
Mark Waypoints: Use your map and GPS to mark key waypoints and ensure you stay on course.
Avalanche Awareness: Be aware of avalanche terrain and read the avalanche forecast for the area.
Travel in a Group: It’s safer and more enjoyable to go with friends. Ensure everyone knows the route and the plan.

Approach information can be found here

Safety First

Safety should always be a top priority. Here are some tips:

Avalanche Safety Course: If you’re new to backcountry skiing, consider taking an avalanche safety course.
Weather Awareness: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for changing conditions.
Emergency Plan: Have a plan for communication, first aid, and what to do in case of an emergency.

Have Fun!

Planning a backcountry ski hut adventure is a thrilling undertaking that requires preparation and a love for the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned backcountry explorer or a first-timer, the Rockies offer an unparalleled winter experience. By choosing the right dates, packing carefully, navigating wisely, and putting safety first, you’ll be well on your way to making unforgettable memories in the heart of Colorado’s backcountry.

Have a great time out there!

Ready to start planning your next adventure? Visit our home page to book your stay and experience the Rockies like never before.

June 7, 2022August 29, 2024How to Articles

Rocky Mountain Huts Waiver

Required Waivers

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Waiver

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We send helpful info about accessing the hut, occasional trip reports, events and stoke!

June 7, 2022March 11, 2024How to Articles, Summer, Winter

How to Approach the Tundra Hut

In summer you can drive directly to the hut with high clearance 4×4 and in the winter it is a 5-mile approach that climbs 2,000 ft.

Winter Approach (Skiing/Hiking)

The winter approach (alternate approach) follows the orange line on the maps below. Start up Leavenworth Creek Road, after the road crosses the stream, it takes a hard right, don’t take this hard right. Instead continue up the right side of the stream on a smaller trail. This trail eventually merges with another road and eventually the main Leavenworth Creek Road.

Summer Approach (Car/Truck)

The summer approach follows the red line on the maps below. This route follows Leavenworth Creek road, there are some other roads that come off of the main road that look just as well traveled, so make sure you are paying attention to the map on your way up. The first 1.5 miles has quite a few switchbacks with other roads coming off the main road.

First Portion of Approach

The winter and summer approaches diverge and converge during this first portion.

Second and Remaning Portion of Approach

Both approaches continue up the valley on Leavenworth Creek Road, once you see the alpine tundra sign, you are 1 mile from the hut.

March 18, 2022March 11, 2024How to Articles

How to Hack the 10th Mountain Division Hut Lottery

We’ve been winning big in the 10th Mountain Division lottery with back-to-back winter Eisman Hut and Fowler-Hilliard Hut trips. In fact, our submissions have scored prime weekends every time. These are the proven strategies we use to hack the system and score a top hut in Colorado’s 10th Mountain Division hut system.

All the hard work organizing a hut rip paying off on arrival.

You need a crew

Find ten to sixteen people to join your group and submit the exact same thing in the lottery. Your lottery form is due in early February each year for the following season. Yes, we understand it is crazy to plan these trips over twelve months in advance, but that is just how the system works.

Some of the crew on our Opus Hut trip in 2017.

Pick a lot of huts, or just pick all the huts

Have a broad range of huts that you are interested in visiting. When I ask local legends about the best hut, they just laugh at me. In their mind, every hut is great. While some huts are known for the best skiing in the world, there is something special about every place built so carefully in the mountains.

Pick a lot of dates

Typically we include every weekend between mid-January and mid-April in our submission. February and March are trips that we hope will line up perfectly with a big powder day. For April and May trips, we use the hut as a launching point for ski mountaineering objectives. We normally do not put late May or June dates into the lottery because those can often be booked outside of the lottery system.

Make it easy for the group

Organizers and trip leaders should send everyone in the group the lottery link and exactly what to copy and paste into the lottery form. At the bottom of this post, I’ve included examples of our winning 10th Mountain Division Lottery submissions.

Final Tricks to Booking an Amazing Hut

If the lottery doesn’t work out for your group it is OK! Remember there are a bunch of other ways to book an amazing trip in the Rocky Mountains. First, there are a bunch of private huts that typically start accepting bookings in the summer such as our very own Tundra Hut, the Lost Wonder Hut, and the Opus Hut. Second, you can always check hut availability after the lottery and often snag some spring dates for corn skiing!

Enjoying an amazing Spring weekend at the Lost Wonder Hut in 2022.

Example 2023 Hut Lottery Submission

LINK HERE – Follow the directions below. Use this group name and lottery choices.

Group Name: I can’t believe I’m organizing this again

Lottery Choices (Cut and paste this section below)

Any of the following days of the week between Jan 15 and April 10 in this order of preference:

Friday Check in -> Monday Checkout
Friday Check in -> Monday Checkout
Sat check in -> Tue checkout
Fri check in -> Sunday checkout

Hut Preferences in this order:

Fowlard Hillard
10th mt division Hut
Uncle Bud’s
Jackal
Janet’s Cabin
Francie’s
Sisters

Eample 2022 Hut Lottery Submission

You know the drill. Submit the details below.

Benedict 100 Group Name: Go Big or Go Benedict

Regular Hut Lotto Group Name: Searching for POWDER

Any of the following huts and dates. Preference is for hut first then date:

Huts:

Eisman (entire hut)
Fowler Hilliard (entire hut)
10th mountain division hut (entire hut)
Jackal (entire hut)
Sister’s (entire hut)
Opa’s (entire hut)
Hary Gates (entire hut)
Margy (entire hut)
McNamara (entire hut)
Francies (entire hut)
Janets (entire hut)
Section House (entire hut)
The Broome Hut (entire hut)
Any other hut except Vance’s Cabin, Uncle Buds, and Shrine Huts (entire hut)

Dates:

Feb 18-21
Feb 12-14
Feb 18-20
Feb 19-21
Feb 25-27
Feb 26-28
Feb 11-13
March 4-6
Feb 4-5
Feb 5-6
March 5-7
Jan 28-29
Jan 29-31
March 11-13
March 12-14

Featured March 17, 2022December 21, 2023How to Articles

Proven Hut Trip Packing List from a Caretaker

Going on a hut trip can be a daunting task. Many visitors and friends often ask what to pack on their trip. We will cover a list of the things we bring and also call out a few differences between huts around Colorado, like the 10th Mountain Division Huts and the Opus Hut.

Lots of critical gear is visible in this photo including jackets, skins, water bottles (with duct tape wrapped around them).

Equipment

Avalanche transceiver, probe pole, and shovel

Skis, splitboard, or snowshoes (designed for backcountry), for skis and splitboard ensure bring the following:

Climbing skins fitted to your equipment

Skin Wax to prevent clumping in warm conditions

Ski wax – we consider this to be a long lost art that can be an amazing way to travel quickly in and out of huts in the right conditions

Boots – Always remember to check that they fit your feet and your equipment if you haven’t used them in a while

Poles – We typically use adjustable poles which can be helpful to change lengths if there are different snow conditions

Backpack – We typically bring a 50-65L pack when we are carrying food and a sleeping bag, but will bring a 40L pack for full service huts like the Opus Hut

Water bottle(s) – I typically bring a 1L wide mouth Nalgene, but most people want more than this

Sunglasses – Make sure you have a pair of sunglasses or goggles that work well in low lighting

Goggles

Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF

Headlamp with spare batters (we also carry a spare mini headlamp)

Cell phone – coverage is not guaranteed anywhere in the battery

Water Filter – I don’t actually bring a water filter. We are very carefully collecting snow and do not filter or boil water

Clothing

Base Layer
- Long underwear top and bottom – the bottom layer is a great double for pajamas and relaxing around the hut, out of respect for your friends we recommended something that is not see through
- Socks plus extra pair(s) – I like having one pair of socks per day, there isn’t much worse than stepping into yesterdays crusty socks

Warm/Insulating layer
- Fleece – Typically this is a lightweight active layer like a Patagonia R1 Hoody
- Down/synthetic puff jacket

Weather/Waterproof Outer Layer
- Jacket – I bring a robust GOR-TEX jacket but also like a lightweight windshirt. They often provide just the right protection from the wind during active tours
- Pants

Other
- Gloves/Mittens – I bring three pairs, a lightweight pair while I’m touring in warm conditions, a midweight pair, and a heavyweight emergency pair
- Warm hat – I have a lot of hoods in my layering kit but this can be helpful when it gets really cold. I also like a hat that fits well under my helmet
- Baseball hat
- Neck gaiter/ balaclava – Lightweight buffs are often the best they double as a hat and are breathable enough they don’t get super wet from sweat and condensation from your breath
- Hut slippers

Food

This may really be depending on how your group is coordinated. Check out our Tips & Tricks post for details on that. Don’t forget to take all your food with you when you leave. We will be posting more about that in blog about Hut Etiquette.

Trail snacks

Personal lunch food

Group meals – don’t forget butter and oil! I always forget that. Huts typically have salt and pepper. We also keep a few extra spices at the Tundra Hut.

Sleep Gear

Sleeping bag – I typically carry a 20 degree bag, but occasionally you can get away with a summer weight bag; However, the few times I’ve tried that I’ve frozen when it has been a cold hut. In particular, I remember that at the Sangre de Frolich hut that took forever to warm up. I had a 50 degree bag and slept by the stove all night

Pillow – These are provided at the Tundra Hut and Opus, but you need to bring them for 10th Mountain Huts. At the Tundra Hut, bring a pillow case to throw over the pillows there. I also just put my clothes in a stuff sack and use that as a pillow.

Toiletries and Personal Items

Toothbrush & toothpaste

Medication

Earplugs – These can be super handy to get a full nights sleep

Emergency Gear

Emergency shelter (bivy sack) – This is a good item to have a across the group but not needed for everyone

First-aid kit

Blister kit

Lighter

Foam pad – I use a zlite pad cut down to three sections. It is super handy in the winter to sit on and keep dry or to keep a foot out of the snow if you need to put on blister tape or moleskin

Emergency communication device – Spot, inReach, PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)

Repair Kit

Duct tape

Zip tie / Cable ties

Baling wire

Ski straps – I carry four long ones that fit around my ski boot

Multi-tool – Many people carry a something like a leatherman, but I prefer a ski specific tool like the BD Buddy

Spare binding and parts – I don’t actually carry a spare binding around, but a lot of people consider it a good idea. It just seems too complicated because it will also require epoxy and potentially a drill

Extra basket – Have you ever tried skiing without a pole basket? It is comically impossible and causes falls on every other turn. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll never go into the backcountry without an extra

Extra skin tail strap

Bonus Items

These are optional but can also turn a normal hut trip into something great.

Bluetooth speaker

USB charging device

Hot coco, powdered hot cider, tea

Fancy bar of hot chocolate

Games – Recently we’ve really enjoyed exploding kittens and unstable unicorns. Most huts have a deck of cards and some other games. The only time we haven’t found any was at the Last Dollar Hut in the San Juan Hut System

March 15, 2022December 21, 2023How to Articles

How to Plan a Great Hut Trip in the Mountains

Getting Started

Planning an excellent hut trip can be complicated. Trip leaders are organizing 6 to 16 people with various skills across technical terrain. We’ve been coordinating hut trips for years, and these are a few tips to make it easier.

We are at the top of a skin track nearby the Eisman Hut. All the hard work of planning the hut trip pays off with big smiles.

Be Flexiable with Trip Dates

Communicate with the group early about potential dates and locations. There are a few ways that Huts and Yurts are managed, including a lottery system and open bookings. Hut systems like the 10th Mountain Division use a lottery system. You need everyone to participate for the best results. In comparison, many private huts have open bookings, like the Tundra Hut, that start accepting bookings in the summer. Popular dates book within minutes of availability posted online. Share a list of potential dates with your group so people aren’t surprised.

Plan Fantastic Meals

I assign a provisioning officer to identify teams to plan group meals for breakfast and dinner. People bring their own food for lunch and snacks. I also encourage people to be fancy (and light). There isn’t anything better than a mouthwatering hot meal after a long day of adventuring. It is also really important to remember things take longer to cook (and clean) at altitude. As a result, we often precook many ingredients such as bacon and use items with lower cook time, like angel hair pasta.

Hot Meal — Enjoying a precooked hot breakfast at the Tundra Hut

Coordinate the Approach and Trailhead

There are a few key details to organize for the first day of the trip. For instance, ensure communication about the trailhead (we have a detailed map on our main page), trailhead arrival times, route plans, radio channels (if used), and ETA to the hut. Often being the trip leader is the responsibility of the group organizer. Still, it can also be helpful to assign a different trip leader to manage this part of the adventure. If the group size is six or more, it can also be beneficial to be in two groups to simplify backcountry travel. Typically we have an early group (“First Chair”) and a late group, so everyone can travel with a partner.

We partnered up for the approach into the Tundra Hut. Notice the avalanche beacons and radios, part of our emergency gear.

Bring Critical Gear and Know Who is Carrying It

Make sure you know who is carrying what type of supplies in addition to basic requirements like a beacon, shovel, and probe for winter travel. Critical items to consider are a medkit, satellite communicator like a spot, inReach, or PLB, anticipated cell phone service zones, space blanket, and relevant training like CPR and Wilderness First Responder. We hope these are never needed, but it is best to be prepared and make sure the group you are traveling with has the fundamental essentials.

Leave Tasty Snacks in the Car

Leave some refreshments in the car like water, sports drinks, hop sodas, and tasty snacks. There is nothing worse than getting back to the car and being hangry! Some of our favorites include Gatorade and salt and vinegar chips. Don’t forget to put the beverages in a location where they can freeze (although that would be sad).

What we’ve all been working hard for – getting out and enjoying the outdoors in a terrific location. This photo looks south out of the Eisman Hut on a snowy day.

Have a Great Time!

Hut trips are a fantastic adventure for everyone involved. Congratulations on thinking about organizing one for a lucky group of people. If you are reading this because you are participating in an upcoming trip, remember to go easy on the organizer, they probably have a lot of details to manage, so offer to take a load off and help them out!