This is the first of several, closely spaced, hut trips in the 10th Mt Division system. It wasn't planned that way, things just kept popping up and couldn't be denied. On this trip it was a Seagate friend who invited me and his regular crew of ski buddies and partners. Slogging in miles and thousands of vertical feet with a relatively heavy pack is a great way to quickly meet people. New friend / potential partner? Skip the chit chat over coffee, time to get uncomfortable and see what comes out and how that mixes with your uncomfortableness.
The first day was spent with logistics getting to the trailhead with all the new snow.
Along with some slow travel and buried trailhead parking lots, there some special surprises early along the trail Who da thunk there would be open water this time of year with record snowfalls? Some crossed with bare feet, some got a little wet in their ski boots, but none went for a swim!
The group plowed up to Jackal Hut above Camp Hale. The Hut sits close to 12,000 ft with great views of Climax Mine (maybe not such a great view) to the Northern end of Mt Elbert / Massive group.
Photo courtesy Shawn Bratt
Photo courtesy Shawn Bratt
As the hut accommodates 20 people and we were the only party there, it was luxurious and all quickly spread out.
The next day the powder hounds went in search of new stashes. There is some north of the cabin, but sort of tight and not so steep. Mid-day a few of us headed southwest down the trail we came in and found happy grins with 1.5kft drop but also ran into a group coming up to the hut for the next few days.
Huts are unusual places. Sometimes you run into kindred spirits, sometimes not so much. The new group is what might be called the new hut trippers. Nice people, but coming up for a party.
So it was, that one of our group had a B-day on Monday and another person happened to bring in a piñata for an early B-Day celebration. Who brings a piñata up to nearly 12kft on a sled? Good friends I say.
Photo courtesy Shawn Bratt
Lot's of discussions on how to deal with said piñata? In the end it was decided that El Toro would be hung from avalanche probe pole and people would take swings with avy shovel shafts. Between missed swings, some penalty shots and eventual success the two groups had a fun evening enjoying being up high in the mountains and the camaraderie that comes with getting up there. The world needs more piñata.
The ski out was spectacular. Powder run all the way back to said river crossing, but hey, the vehicles were close by so WTF.
