10th Mountain Division Hut Skiing

Originally uploaded by olsenis.

The 10th Mountain Division huts were originally built to house Army troupes while they trained in high altitude conditions for World War II. These days the huts can be rented out for recreational purposes like skiing and hiking. I joined a bunch of hearty Minnesotans this December to hike five miles up to the Peter Estin Hut. Built in 1985 by public funds, the hut (ie log cabin) is a new addition and one of the nicer that I have stayed in. It has two floors, sleeps over a dozen, and has everything you need for a few nights in the wilderness (plates, cups, pots and pans, giant wood stove) but not all the comforts of home (running water, flush toilets). The view off the front deck is simply breath taking.

December snowfall has been plentiful which resulted in awesome skiing as well as moderate avalanche concern. A quick hike from the hut brought us up to Prospect Peak before cruising down 1000 ft of untouched powder. With snow up to my waist, more than once it was flying over over my helmet.

Hiking six hours up to the hut is a considerable amount of work but in the end very rewarding. Our crew traveled relatively light compared to the four Durango college students we met. They caught us on the trail about a mile before we reached the top, thanking us for breaking trail through the deep powder then flew past. As we settled in, stoked up the fire, and tried to get warm; what came out of their packs blew me away. Let me first say that when backpacking every ounce counts, I skipped a change of clothes and packed only the minimum food in order to keep my pack light. Not these boys, they pulled out three water bottles full of alcohol, biscuits, bacon, sausage, and the unthinkable--a twelve pack of beer. Their secret was a combination of youth and so called "Sherpa" Steve who apparently is part burro.

In my opinion, spending a weekend in the back country is one of the coolest things you can do in Colorado and a great way to make new friends. I can't wait to do it again next year.

Start and end of photos.