Newsletter, Spring 1999, 10th Mountain Huts

Monday, March 1st., 7:00 a.m. The lottery begins with Betty Delaney drawn 1st out of over 900 lottery forms. It may not be Publishers' Clearinghouse, but we feel like Ed McMahon when we call to congratulate her at the crack of dawn!

Administrative staff kindly supply coffee for the reservations troops, and by 9:15 a.m. New Year's is booked solid.

By late afternoon the coffee's worn-off, Martin Luther King and President's days are full, lottery entrants still want New Year's Eve, and we're staring to book more 2nd, 3rd, etc. choice trips.

Days 2 through 5 ·The reservationists continue to draw lottery entries from the "BOX" and sort through availability, with most entrants getting one of their choices.

The days are very long, and by day 4 the staff is losing steam, but we're still happy to be booking trips that members have selected, without subjecting anyone to the telephone madness of April1.

Back from the field, Jarod Trow takes to the phones, allowing the reservationists to focus on the lottery. The long awaited "end of the lottery" party is held after work on Friday as planned, but to our surprise the lottery is only half way done! A night of fun before the long week ahead.

Days 6 & 7 ·Reservationist May Eynon heads to Vegas for some R & R on a trip she had planned months ago - who thought we'd still be doing the lottery?

Meanwhile, the drawing continues. It becomes increasingly difficult to book members' top choices, as Saturdays are booked January through March. Reservationists call members back and sift through what's left for the coming season.

Through talking with members, we are able to find something for just about everyone. Many people chose Thursday - Friday or Sunday - Monday trips.

Days 8 & 9 ·The first round of entrants receive their confirmation letters in the mail.

We begin to get calls from friends that have tried to "coordinate" their lottery efforts only to find that they received multiple trips; some are excited at their good luck, while others are frustrated by the prospect of too many huts trips and too little time.

To avoid cancellation penalties, reservationists refer members wishing to sell their space to advertise it on the Hut Space For Sale bulletin board on our website. As a result, the bulletin board may have some great trips for sale posted, so check it out if you're looking to book a trip.

Day 10 ·Frustrations are expressed by those drawn in the final round, but on day 10 Anthony Mello is drawn last, #922, and is granted his sixth choice!

Lottery Thoughts and Observations

From the reservations side of things, the lottery may have been more work than the prior April 1st call in program, but it appears that it proved less frustrating for members. As we learn from this year's experiences and try to make the lottery more efficient, we depend on your thoughts. Remember, this lottery system is a direct result of past member input, and we depend on your comments to improve the lottery for future years.

We will wait until this year's April 1st call in period is complete, and until we have received more input from members, before our final evaluation is made.

The Reality of Limited Hut Space

As any long time hut user can tell you, the huts have become increasingly popular, and demand for reservations has grown dramatically. The calendar only gives us a limited number of Saturday and holiday nights to work with, so unfortunately for those drawn late in the lottery, availability was limited.

Regardless of when they were drawn in the lottery, members interested in December, April, or mid-week trips were more successful in getting the trips they wanted. Please keep in mind that, regardless of how we take reservations, demand for popular dates (January - March, weekends and holidays) far exceeds the number of spaces available.

While no method of booking can redress this imbalance, we feel strongly that a lottery system is the best way to fairly and smoothly allocate the limited space.

Thanks to all of our members who participated in the first 10th Mountain Lottery. Your membership donation is greatly appreciated. Again, please send comments, suggestions, and questions regarding the lottery to 10th Mountain.

Letter from the Director

We are told that times of change are times of learning. So it is with the new lottery system:

Three of our four reservationists weren't even with 10th Mountain when the prior system of calling in for next winter spaces at the huts was in place. They did not get a chance to share the frustration of busy phone lines with you. Instead, they had to deal with a new set of problems on our end, which they did with enthusiasm and thoroughness. They worked hard and completed the job on time. Most, but not all of those we heard from were delighted with the lottery system.

The biggest change for next year will be that 10th Mountain will not call people back if none of their choices were available. This will put the responsibility on our members to list more and less desireable choices or to take their chances on April 1. It's just another instance of the theme of self-responsibility that we always try to encourage in our users.

When I first heard of Summit Huts proposal for the Lewis Hut, I was apprehensive enough about the project (as it turns out, because I was ignorant of some of the details), to ask a good number of 10th Mountain board members to visit the site to see what they thought.

These days, any negative impacts of another hut need to be carefully weighed. As the backcountry becomes more and more crowded, 10th Mountain has to increasingly recognize its role as a good steward of the backcountry.

Six board members with years of experience, both with our huts and with the Vail Pass area, went to visit the site. Their enthusiastic involvement, sensitivity, and perceptive questions said a great deal about the high quality of the 10th Mountain board members. The easy and open dialogue with the members of SHA and the Forest Service representatives reflected a history of trust and goodwill. That is much to be proud of.

Trying to represent as diverse a group as backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers is not easy, particularly when it's about protecting the backcountry from being overrun by snowmobiles. Advocacy for a small, mostly silent group of individualists who don't always agree on what they want protected is the difficult mission of the Backcountry Skier's Alliance.

I hope the organization will find a way to get support from the entire spectrum of non-motorized users. Somebody has to fight for our winter interests, tedious and hard as it may be. If the BSA is to become a large, effective voice we all need to support it.

Maintenance will be the focus of our work at the huts this summer. It's time to clean up every trail, check and standardize the propane system at each hut, replace windows that do not work, and of course, get every hut ready for next winter. Remodeling the inside of the Peter Estin Hut to make the main floor lighter and warmer will be the only change. As usual, we can't do all of the work without your help. Please Join us for a little fun and some hard work at our summer volunteer weekends (see the "volunteer" link on this website).

Summit Huts Association Plans the Lewis Hut

Summit Huts Association has bought 35 acres of private property from the estate of Peter Cosgriff as a site for the proposed Lewis Hut.

Formerly a timber patent, the property is completely surrounded by National Forest and is not accessible by road. Summit County Open Space purchased the adjacent 65 acres from the Cosgriff estate. SHA purchased the southern most 35 acres of the property which is located in the Stafford Creek drainage, on the ridge that separates Smith and Stafford Gulches, between Copper Mountain and Vail Pass.

Summit County zoning permits nordic ski huts that can also be used in the summer by hikers on 35 acres or more.

The proposed Lewis Hut is to be named in memory of Harry T. and Margaretta Lewis, the parents of Chuck Lewis, who contributed funds from his parent's estate for the project. Chuck Lewis was the founder and first president of Copper Mountain Resort. His wife, Penny Lewis, served as a Summit County commissioner in the 1980's and their two daughters, Chrissy and Vonda, graduated from Summit High School and were members of the Summit High School nordic ski team.

The Lewis family wanted to give back to the Summit County community and at the same time memorialize their parents in a way that commemorates the entire family's love of skiing, the mountains, and Summit County.

SHA believes that the site is ideal for a nordic ski hut for a number of reasons:

The analysis for the details on the Lewis Hut and the site are in the preliminary planning stages. Design drawings are being drafted by Breckenridge architect Katie Royce of Baker/Hogan/Houx.

The conceptual floor plan is a take off from the Fritz Benedict Hut, but slightly larger to accomodate 12 guests and a two-person Hut Master's Quarters. The design will also incorporate passive solar elements and sleeping quarters separate from the communal areas.

SHA plans to spend the next several months identifying and mitigating other issues including environmental impacts, wildlife, social issues, trails, and access. SHA will not build an access road to the site, but instead plans to construct and maintain the cabin using helicopters, as was done for Janet's Cabin.

The Lewis Hut site is approximately five miles from Vail Pass. The route from Vail Pass is challenging, requiring good route finding skills.

From Janet's Cabin the access to the Lewis Hut site would utilize the High Route which is equally challenging, especially in snowstorms and whiteouts.The Vail Pass management program governs uses in the area.

Surrounding the proposed Lewis Hut site is one of the largest non-motorized prescriptions in the Vail Pass area, extending from just south of Wilder Gulch all the way to Janet's Cabin . Yet, very few skiers and snowshoers currently use this designated area other than hut skiers enjoying the terrain immediately adjacent to Janet's Cabin.

The High Route from Vail Pass to Janet's Cabin is infrequently traveled, as it is more difficult than the popular route from Copper Mountain up Guller Creek. SHA believes that a small hut will not significantly impact the Vail Pass area and that it makes sense to concentrate use into an area that it is managed for.

SHA has many more steps to take before the Lewis Hut comes to fruition. Input is requested and welcome. Contact SHA at P.O. Box 2830, Breckenridge, Colorado 80424, 970/453-8583 or e-mail: Sumhuts@colorado.net

This past winter five 10th Mountain board members, several Forest Service representatives, and staff visited the site of the proposed Lewis Cabin. Everybody had questions, some had concerns. However, by the end of the trip everyone from 10th Mountain was unanimously positive. According to board member Bob Moore, ''There are not many sites left for new huts in Summit County that meet the high standards of the 10th Mountain and Summit Huts systems as well as the expectations of traditional hut visitors. This site meets all the requirements."

Backcountry Skiers Alliance

Seven Years of Good Work

The Backcountry Skiers Alliance was founded over the issue of conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users at the Vail Pass area.

After seven years of working with snowmobilers, the Forest Service and other groups, their efforts have improved the non-motorized experience in the area. For the first time this season, separation of motorized and non-motorized use is mandatory and enforceable, making a notable difference in reduction of user conflicts. Motorized intrusion into ski and snowshoe areas and trails have decreased significantly this season, as has snowmobile use in non-motorized zones around the huts.

User fees at Vail Pass have been a source of concern for some skiers and snowshoers. While the fees allow for enforcement of motorized and non-motorized zones they barely cover the cost of the program.

Simply put, without the fees, Vail Pass would be a haven for snowmobiles, free to travel anywhere and everywhere. We expect that this positive trend will continue and that the backcountry ski and hut excursions in the Vail Pass area will be quieter experiences in the future. Everyone deserves credit for making the program a success: the snowmobilers who are respecting the closures of quiet areas, polite recreationists, and the Forest Service for undertaking the program.

The BSA has also been expanding its role into other areas of Colorado facing similar issues.

The Steamboat chapter of the Backcountry Skiers Alliance has started a "Winter Coalition Group", a task force similar to the Vail Pass Task Force. The Winter Coalition Group brings together all players in winter backcountry recreation and works to find solutions to user conflict, access and other issues.

The BSA Steamboat chapter just held its first annual Wooden Ski Festival, a fun day of races and other activities for backcountry skiers.

This year the BSA distributed a poster with a comprehensive list of avalanche clinics taking place throughout the state to shops and nordic ski areas. The poster also contains phone numbers and website addresses for current snow conditions. They plan to expand this program next year so that more backcountry users can educate themselves about safety in the backcountry before setting out.

The goal of the BSA is to preserve quiet, non-motorized areas for quality backcountry skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing by helping to find solutions to users conflicts through dialogue and compromise.

Their efforts are directed at educating land managers about the importance of preserving non-motorized areas and advocating the interests of backcountry non-motorized winter recreationists in land management decisions.

If you care about preserving solitude in the backcountry, please join BSA. To become an effective voice BSA needs to increase membership and attain broad support necessary to ensure fair and equitable management of our public lands.

NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE COLORADO BACKCOUNTRY

Colorado Search & Rescue

Every year, hundreds of people are lost or injured in Colorado's vast backcountry. Recognizing the significant cost of a rescue, the state has pioneered the Colorado Search and Rescue Fund to finance training and equipment for these efforts. The fund is totally financed by fees from a variety of outdoor licenses.

Anybody who spends time in the backcountry should purchase the Hiking Certificate for $1.00 a year or $5.00 for five years to support the program. These licenses can be purchased at most sporting goods stores and some supermarkets.

Interconnect Hut Trips

Every Year 10th Mountain hosts two week-long hut trips; in Memory of Fritz Benedict. One trip is more relaxed (some would say merely exhausting), the other is very aggressive (indescribable has been used). The first interconnect ski trip was held in 1993 to unite Vail and Aspen. Fritz Benedict had worked in both towns and loved the country that lies between them.

Benedict 100

Staff leaders: Ted & Carol Billings 6 days, 5 nights, Aspen to Vail, estimated total Mileage 97.2 miles

For the first time in seven years, everyone completed the trip. It was also the first time a father and his son participated.

Congratulations to these participants: John Esser, Jay & Brad Henry, Linda Muscatell, Carl Schueler and Chuck Palmeer. Many thanks to the following volunteers for being Hut Hosts during the week- Tom Todd & Rhonda Basil, Jeff & Laurie Beckel, Theo Raun, Jim Thompson, Michael Rix, Brent Rimel and Lee Rimel.

The Interconnect Ski

Staff leader: Scott Messina 6 days, 5 nights, Aspen to West Lake Creek, estimated total mileage 56.8 miles

Congratulations to the participants: John & Linda Muscatell, Ruth Durst, Bob Strulak and Rhonda Basil.

A big thanks to all the volunteers, especially Tom Todd for his support and delicious food, and to Dave Polovin of Timberline Tours for his shuttle services.

El Pomar Foundation Grant

10th Mountain received a $2,500 grant from the El Pomar Foundation as a Finalist in the 1998 Awards for Excellence program in the Sports & Recreation category. Each year, the Awards for Excellence program contributes funds to over 30 organizations in 12 different categories (there are more than 10,000 nonprofit organizations in Colorado). Board members, President- Bonnie Downing and Steve Wilmot attended the fine awards banquet in Colorado Springs for all of the finalists.

New Books at the Huts

Thank you to Hugh Evans for donating books called the Good Times and Bad Times- A History of C Company 85th Mountain Infantry Regiment 10th Mountain Division July 1943 to November 1945. It has been added to the libraries at each 10th Mountain Hut. The book was edited by Hugh Evans and John Imbrie. Also thank you to Dr. Fred Winter, Bud Winter's brother, for donating several new books for the Uncle Bud's Hut.

Belevedere Hut Update

By all accounts the newly built Sangree M. Froelicher Hut near Leadville is a terrific addition to the Hut System. Owners Ty Hall and Greg Follet are working with the Forest Service and 10th Mountain to connect the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut to Vance's Cabin to the north and the 10th Mountain Hut to the west. Several possible routes are being studied. Pending Forest Service approval, the trails will be cleared this summer and those hardy enough will be able to ski to another hut next winter.

Knee pads

We encourage people to use knee pads when carving arcs around the huts. This is especially true early and late in the season when the snowpack can be thin. Banging into rocks, deadfall, stumps, even your own skis can injure a knee quickly.

Stoves to donate?

10th Mountain is always on the lookout for high quality wood burning stoves for cooking and heating. Please give us a call at (970) 925-4554 if you would like to sell or donate a stove.

Thanks to the field staff

A big thanks to our winter interns who did a great job this winter. Erica Van Meter, Charles Bieler, James Fulton, Jay Henry, and Brent Rimel.

They patrolled the hut system with enthusiasm and style. Best of luck to everyone as they move on to various endeavors!

Summer 1999 Volunteer Work Weekends

10th Mountain always needs volunteers for its summer work weekends. Jobs at each hut include: processing eight cords of wood (chain-sawing, splitting and stacking), painting, refurbishing stoves, cleaning, re-vegetation, etc.

We encourage people to hike or bike to the huts for the work weekends, while we take up your gear. Volunteers are welcome to work for as many or as few days as they like. Sign up starts May 3. E-mail us or call 970/925-5775.

The two new woodchop weekends near Leadville are not near huts so you will need camping gear.

Additionally, 10th Mountain plans to clear all the suggested winter trails that access the huts, replace lost or damaged blue diamonds and improve the tree blazes in the wilderness. Trail crews will work during the week. If you are interested, call after July 1.

Board of Directors: Bill Douglas, Bonnie Downing, Jamie Duke, Buck Elliott, Boots Ferguson, Fred Fisher, Clint Jewel, Howie Mallory, Bob Moore, Jean Naumann, Chuck Ogilby, Bruce Shugart, Tim Tyler, John Wells, Suzanne White, David Williams, Steve Wilmot.

Honorary Board of Directors: Ben Duke, Richard Durrance, Ben Eiseman, Beth Fergus, Dick Goetzman, Lorraine Higbie, Robert McNamara, Bob Parker, Peter Seibert, Peter Wingle.

Staff: Ted and Carol Billings, Jenifer Blomquist, Cindy Carpenter, May Eynon, Debbie Krohn, Scott Messina, Mary Sanders, David Schweppe, Jarod Trow.

10th Mountain Division and Summit Huts Associations, Alfred A. Braun Hut System, and Friends Hut operate under special use permits from the US Forest Service, and are equal opportunity service providers.

LOTTERY '99

AN INSIDE LOOK FROM THE RESERVATIONS STAFF