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.