Washington Hut Hopper 2012
Additional Trip Details
5 hut system in North Cascades near Winthrop Washington at 4000 ft elevation.
4 nights in huts and 2 nights in cabin in Methow valley.
Rendezvous trail system 25 km groomed trails with additional off trail snow opportunities.
Additional 200 km groomed trails in valley trail systems. Methow, Sun Mountain and Mazama trail systems.
This is an eight person ski trip, primarily traditional cross country skiing and skating with opportunities to use telemark skis, and venture off trail by ski or snowshoe.
This trip is designed for those who have had previous outdoor experience and have a basic skills associated with camping, carrying a pack and dressing appropriately for exercising in winter conditions. Although the trails are typically groomed, in the case of inclement weather, participants must be comfortable skiing on un-groomed terrain.
This trip would be considered intermediate level for skiing and winter travel skills and should not require avalanche training or other advanced survival skills, the huts are generally 6 miles apart, grooming is extensive and trail are generally wide, most on forest service roads.
You will be expected to carry your own weight in a backpack. Pack weight and size is intended to be kept to 25 lbs or less. The trip includes two freight hauls (one in, and one out) arranged for the entire group to handle group food and gear (from Cub Creek trail head). Freight haul will transport food and additional equipment to the hut in order to help keep pack weight reasonable. Each participant will be allocated no more than 25 lbs. for personal gear on the freight haul. Sleeping bag and clothes are carried in pack, weight may be higher traveling between huts but many opportunities to ski with no pack after reaching next hut. Each snowmobile haul is strictly limited to 300 lbs total. (100 lbs reserved for group food and gear). Additional snowmobile hauls may be arranged at your own expense prior to the trip.
Huts are considered primitive with outdoor pit toilets, full kitchen with propane stove, no running water, water is obtained by melting snow. Huts are small with a bed and sleeping pad. The entire group of 8 will share one hut each night; expect close quarters. Cabin has modern amenities.
Trip price currently does not include airfare to Spokane, WA. After the trip fills (or no later than Oct. 15) we will make an attempt to reserve airfare as a group on the same flight. The airline tickets are non-refundable and can not be changed once purchased from the airlines. Purchasing the airline ticket will reserve your spot on the trip. Airline price is expected to be $500 to $650 (Cleveland - Spokane).
Since the airline tickets are non-refundable and are purchased from the airlines directly, the Lewis Ski Club highly recommends purchasing additional trip insurance. Depending on the airline, additional travel insurance may be purchased at the time of airline ticket booking. A number of companies will also insure entire trips. See for example (in no particular order) :
Trip lodging itinerary as follows; 1 night hotel, 4 night huts (3 different huts-Heifer, Cassal, Cassal, Rendezvous) 2 nights Brown Farm Cabin, 1 night hotel.
Approximate distance between the huts:
Cub Creek Parking Area to Heifer: ~6 miles
Heifer to Cassal: ~9.1 miles
Cassal to Rendezvous: ~ 3.8 miles
Rendezvous to Cub Creek Parking Area: ~ 6 miles
( Additional Details Online )
Food will primarily be bought and organized after reaching WA. Dinner will be cooked and organized as a group, while breakfast and lunch will based more on individual basis when trip itinerary permits.
