Newsletter, Spring 2000, 10th Mountain Huts

Leave it to a trio of seasoned seniors to pull off a hut trip in grand style. Realizing a dream hatched well over a year ago, three of us recently enjoyed a memorable trip characterized by the best that hut trips can offer: good food, plenty of hut time, off trail adventures, and lots of time ski mountaineering.

Most hut-trippers are familiar with multiple night layovers at a single hut. Often straddling long weekends, these trips can include the excesses brought about when stronger members of the party pull in a fully loaded sled. A select few enjoy power trips covering many miles of trails laden only with a day pack. In between these two extremes, however, there are many ways to enjoy extended treks in the 10th Mountain system. While our grand style approach does require some planning due to extra logistics, it does not necessarily require a very heavy pack.

Our adventure comprised an 8-day, 7-night trip that started at the Fryingpan River trailhead (Road 505) and ended at the Chalk Creek trailhead near Fremont Pass outside of Leadville. Along the way, we stayed one night at the Betty Bear Hut, two nights at Skinner, two nights at Uncle Bud's, one night at Vance's Cabin, and one night at the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut.

This was the third 50th Birthday excursion among our crew, this time in honor of author Joe Chervenak's imminent over-the-hill status. When John Scahill, approached 50 in 1996, he completed a hut trip from Aspen to Vail over a 2-week period. Roland Pitts, AARP card in hand, skied all of the 10th Mountain huts over 3 plus weeks in 1998. For the first part of the trip we were joined by Norm Weaver, who at 49 is still a youngster, and long-time friends Nancy Reece and Craig Christensen.

The seeds of this trip were planted well over a year ago, in January 1999 on the way from Uncle Bud's, to the 10th Mountain Division Hut. We had been discussing the new Sangree M. Froelicher Hut, the latest addition to the 10th Mountain system, and began to formulate a plan. We decided it would be fun to string together this southeastern group of huts, including pioneering a route from Vance's to the Sangree M. Froelicher.

Our fate was decided in the March 1999 Lottery: our trip would go in the last week of March, 2000. We quickly started to lay the ground work and later that season, Joe, John, and Norm did a day trip out of Ski Cooper. Map, compass, and altimeter in hand, we scouted a route that would safely link Vance's to Sangree M. Froelicher via the East Tennessee Creek drainage. Some bushwhacking would be necessary.

A year later, we completed our plans in earnest. 10th Mountain granted our aging group of dreamers permission to cache supplies, so a week before the trip, we skied into Uncle Bud's with the food and drink. The day before we hit the trail, we parked a car at Tennessee Pass with additional supplies. Norm's wife, Lynette, dropped us off at the Fryingpan River Road trailhead on Saturday, March 25. We only had to carry food for the first three days, then skied with light packs from Skinner to Uncle Bud's. We were relieved to find our cache completely intact at Uncle Bud's, where we ate well and had enough treats to share with other hut mates. When we left Uncle Bud's we had light packs for the ten mile ski down to Tennessee Pass. There, we re-supplied our packs at the car, and then continued another three miles to Vance's Cabin.

We chose to continue on to Vance's because we wanted to have the option of skiing a high route to Sangree M. Froelicher via Taylor Hill and Chicago Ridge. However, the weather did not cooperate, and so we opted for the lower route that we had scouted the year before. We arrived at the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut on schedule, exhilarated from a successful afternoon of finding our own way to the hut. The last day was particularly memorable. After a night of light snow and very cold weather, the skies cleared.

Loosening up for the day, we cut a few turns above the hut, and then we decided that the weather (high pressure and almost no wind) was right for a high alpine adventure as a grand finish to this trip. From the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut, we carefully ascended Buckeye Peak (12,867 feet) and then dropped down to the Chalk Creek trailhead. This is an advanced route, and should only be attempted by those experienced in measuring snow stability because of potential avalanche terrain.

In the course of the tour, we enjoyed one of the big advantages of an extended trip: the extra hut time that affords opportunities for relaxing, exploring, and skiing. We made new friends, shared stories, drinks, more than a few laughs, and once again experienced the magic that brings us back to the huts year after year. Go do it. Plan carefully. Eat well.

(Joe Chervenak and John Scahill are avid backcountry skiers who have day jobs at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado.)

Joe & John's tips for planning an extended trip.

Letter from the Director

The Forest Plan for the White River National Forest is being revised. The Forest Service's preferred Alternative D in the Draft Plan restricts winter motorized recreation for the first time. 10th Mountain supports this proposal, not just because of the restrictions, but also because the plan fairly balances recreational and environmental concerns and attempts to protect the integrity of the backcountry in light of the growing Colorado population. We strongly urge you to write in support of Alternative D. It is being heavily attacked by Colorado's representatives in Washington.

The deadline for receiving comments is May 9. The Forest Service needs our support. Please call us at 970/925-5775 if you would like a copy of our comments. For a copy of the Draft Plan, go to the WRNF's website at: www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/planning.html

Mail your comments to: Martha Ketelle, Forest Supervisor, White River National Forest, P.O. Box 948, Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602.

10th Mountain Summer Projects
July 1 through September 30, 2000

The Fowler/Hilliard, Jackal, McNamara, and Margy's huts are scheduled to get new doors and windows this summer. Architect, Michael Thompson has generously volunteered to help re-design the Skinner Hut outhouse. When it's completed this fall, it will be warmer and less odoriferous than the present one.

After eighteen years, the entire solar systems, including panels, the power centers, and batteries will be replaced at the McNamara and Margy's huts. Continuing from last year, we will replace the propane tanks throughout the system with larger ones and check the safety of all the propane systems including the stoves.

Good-bye to our winter patrol staff

A special thanks to Mike Shook and Erika Van Meter for their outstanding work during the 1999-2000 winter season. They spent countless hours breaking trail, cleaning the huts, shoveling snow, leading seniors trips, and helping with special projects. Mike and Erika took a huge load off of Scott Messina and Ted and Carol Billings shoulders'. 10th Mountain wishes "Mikey" and "E" all of the best and hope they will visit the huts often in the years to come.

Dish Duty

Scott Messina suggests a better way to clean and disinfect the dishes at the huts. It is the Three-bucket System used by river guides. Use three plastic tubs. In the first tub combine fusol dish soap and HOT water. In the second tub, just HOT water. In the third tub add a capful of bleach to COLD water for the final rinse. Let the dishes air dry. Also, after cleaning the cast-iron skillets, wipe them out with a little cooking oil to prevent rusting.

News from the Alfred Braun Hut System

The Alfred Braun Hut System has been receiving rave reviews for the 1999 renovations of the Tagert and Green Wilson huts. Hut users love the new windows, decks, Southern exposure orientations, and the new locations for the Al Beyer signature outhouses. The new aspen and pine wood interiors lighten up the places wonderfully. Simple, small, bright and cheery, just the place you want to be.

For the year 2000, the Barnard Hut on Richmond Ridge gets the full treatment. New doors, windows, and interior, as well as a relocated outhouse and wood storage room, the hut will get the complete facelift during the summer months. You can be a part of this great project through your donations of either time or funds. While worthwhile projects are numerous, it is rare to find one as rewarding as the much-needed renovation of these great huts. For more information call 970/920-7859. Or write to: Alfred A. Braun Hut System, P.O. Box 7937, Aspen, Colorado 81612.

10th Mountain Huts Interconnect Ski 2000

Scott Messina, who has worked with 10th Mountain for years, successfully led the annual Interconnect ski from Aspen to the West Lake Creek trailhead. The trip started on Sunday, January 23 and ended late on the 26th

While this trip is considerably less strenuous than the Benedict 100, it is by no means easy. As an example, the skiers left the Aspen Hunter Creek trailhead at 6am, arrived at the McNamara Hut at 9am, and then continued on to Margy's Hut. It was a long ten hour day before the boots came off.

The skiers spent the next night at the Gates Hut, then on to the Peter Estin Hut for the final night. They then left the Peter Estin Hut at 6:30 in the morning, using headlamps to wrestle their way down the Ironedge trail. Then up to the Polar Star Inn, and on to the Westlake Creek trailhead where the trip ended with a round of beers to celebrate a thoroughly successful expedition.

Congratulations to the skiers: Linda Muscatell, John Esser, Sue Crawford and Hank Suomien. Thanks to the Hut Hosts: Curt Carpenter and Charles Bieler (Margy's Hut).

For information about next winter's interconnect, check our Workshops and other activities using the links on this website.

Benedict 100, Year 2000

For the past eight years the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association has offered an annual marathon hut to hut ski trip, named after the founder of the Hut Association, Fritz Benedict. It was Fritz' goal to have a "Haute Route" between two ski towns: Aspen and Vail. This grueling 100 mile trip from Aspen to Vail takes six days and skips every other hut. There are no layover days.

This year 11 people completed the trip. At each hut we had hosts-2 to 3 volunteers who would warm the hut, melt snow, prepare hot drinks (some with a little alcohol), cook delicious meals, wash dishes, and tidy up the hut after we hit the trail early in the morning. Without hosts we could not complete this trip as quickly. They are an integral part of it's success and are much appreciated by everyone involved.

The Benedict 100 crossed Hagerman Pass at 12,000 feet on the way from Aspen to Vail. Our total elevation gain and loss was approximately 19,000 feet. The longest day was from the McNamara Hut to the Betty Bear Hut, a total of 23 miles, starting and ending in the dark. Since we are our own rescue group we stress safety. Staying together as a group is imperative, though not always easy. The only problems this year were painful blisters that a few people got during the trip, but they were able to continue.

The most dangerous part of the trip may have been the final day, skiing down the last of the Commando Run into the town of Vail. Hundreds of alpine skiers zipped past us with helmets and fancy ski suits while we negotiated the hard packed moguls with 30 pound packs with quite some difficulty, and little grace.

This trip is not for everyone. As a past participant described it as follows: "I've done marathons before, but I never had to get up and do one after another for 6 days in a row!"

Congratulations to the following Benedict 100 Skiers: Tim Casey, Eric Baldwin, Jon Gunson, John Warner, Jack Wolfe, Rich Rowley, Scott Downen, Ed Anderson, and David Jefferson. Leaders: Ted & Carol Billings.

Thanks to the Hut Hosts: Tom Todd & Rhonda Basil (McNamara Hut), Curt Carpenter, Warren Ohlrich (Betty Bear Hut), Michael Rix, Alan Barry (Uncle Bud's Hut), Mark & Tim Ammons, Michael Leonard (Jackal Hut), Maryann Rowley, Carre Warner and Barb Baker (Shrine Mountain Inn).

The Benedict 100 skiers are shown below. Back row left-to-right: Ed Anderson, Tim Casey, David Jefferson, Eric Baldwin, John Warner. Front row left-to-right: Scott Downen, Ted Billings, Jack Wolfe, Carol Billings, Jon Gunson. (Not pictured: Rich Rowley)

The Benedict 100, year 2001, will be held February 4-9. The trip begins at Margy's Hut and ends in Vail. There is a lot of interest in this trip, so sign up soon if you think this is for you. Contact Ted & Carol Billings at 719/ 486-2296.

Summit Hut Association mourns death of Chuck Lewis

Chuck Lewis, founder and first president of Copper Mountain Ski Resort, passed away on March 17, 2000. He was 63. Chuck was a rancher, former chairman of the Colorado Wildlife Commission, member of the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame, and an officer at Eldora Mountain Resort. He is survived by his wife Penny, a former Summit County Commissioner, children Randy Lewis, Christine Lynch and Vonda Dyson, and several grandchildren.

Chuck was instrumental in providing SHA with the funds for the Lewis Hut in Memory of his parents Harry and Margaretta Lewis. SHA greatly appreciated all of Chuck's work on behalf of the Lewis Hut and enjoyed working with him on the project. SHA extends its deepest sympathies to the family.

Summit Huts Association News

Lewis Hut Update

On December 10, 1999 Summit Huts Association received approval for construction of the Lewis Hut from the 10 Mile Planning Commission. However, the decision was appealed and re-heard by the Summit County Board of County Commissioners on January 10, 2000. The County Commissioners, after a four hour hearing, approved the Lewis Hut with some conditions. There are still numerous hurdles for SHA to jump before a building permit may be issued. SHA has to receive permission from the US Forest Service for a temporary construction access route before building can commence, a permit for an individual sewage disposal system must also be received, and adequate parking at Vail Pass must be identified. SHA must wait for the snow to melt before some of these studies can begin.

10th Mountain Huts Volunteer Work Weekends

Once again, 10th Mountain needs volunteers for its summer work weekends. Jobs at each hut include: splitting and stacking wood, painting, cleaning & refurbishing stoves, thoroughly cleaning the hut, re-vegetation, trail work, etc. If you are interested in volunteering but the above dates don't work for you or are already filled, please ask to be put on our list of "Other Interested Volunteers."

We often need volunteers for special projects that often involve cleaning and carpentry. For each full day worked volunteers will receive a hut credit good for one year. To sign up call 10th Mountain starting May 1st at 970/925-5775. Space is limited and these weekends are very popular, so sign up early.

Avalanche!

People learned about snow stability, avalanche and backcountry rescue with an emergency sled, and more. Everyone practiced evaluating whether or not to ski a slope and what to do if problems occurred.

We strongly urge members to take advantage of these workshops. They are inexpensive and professionally taught. Please click the "education" link on this website's main menu for more workshop information.

Thanks to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center for their instruction and support. Also, thanks to all of those who attended.

10th Mountain Lottery 2000

As most of you know, 10th Mountain conducted its second annual lottery for next winter's hut reservations this March. We received 1,048 lottery entries from our members, up 12% from last year's 936 entries. Nearly half of these members chose to take advantage of the new group entry process with a total of 120 groups entered in the lottery. Group sizes ranged from two to sixteen members and 108 of these groups received a trip (90%).

As the year before, the time and creativity put into filling out members' lists of choices had a great impact on whether they received a trip, regardless of when they were drawn in the lottery. Members who cross-referenced multiple hut and date options (including non-Saturday night options) were the most likely to receive a trip. Those who chose only one hut or only a handful of mid-winter dates were least likely to receive a trip, even if they were drawn early.

We've said it before and we'll say it again - the calendar only gives us a limited number of Saturday and holiday nights, and entrants whose choices solely included weekend and holiday dates were unlikely to receive a trip if they were drawn in the latter half of the lottery. Our pre-lottery newsletter for next year's drawing will include detailed examples of some of the most and least logically worded entries that we received. We hope these examples will help all entrants to improve their chances of receiving a trip.

Noteworthy Comments about the Lottery

Memorable Group Names

Many groups choose fun names while making their reservations, here are a few of the office favorites:

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.

Betty Bear to Sangree M. Froelicher Skiing through the huts in Grand Style